The Role of Knowledge in Overcoming Snake Fear

Abstract

The question addressed in the current study is to what extent factual knowledge of snakes may influence the fear of snake in humans. Total of 100 students, mean age 18, of both sexes were asked to fulfil two pencil-and-paper questionnaires (Q) consisted of 21 statements referring to the attitude to the snake (Q-1) and of 28 false statements about snake anatomy and behavior (Q-2). Experimental subjects were asked to agree or disagree with each statement given in Q. Positive responses (“agree”) to the Q-1 statements were considered pointing to the fear of snake, while positive responses (“agree”) to the Q-2 statements were believed to point to the lack of factual knowledge of snake anatomy and behavior. Negative responses (“disagree”) to Q-1 and Q-2 statements were believed to point to the absence of fear of snakes and presence of factual knowledge of snake anatomy and behavior respectively. Positive correlation between answers “agree” in Q-1 and Q-2 as well as between answers “do not agree” in Q-1 and Q-2 was found. Data obtained, as well as recent reports of authors on the effectiveness of teaching in the classrooms and efficacy of combination of education with other approaches in reducing snake fear are encouraging to further investigation of the role of factual knowledge as a factor for reducing the fear of snake in humans.