Natural or Synthetic Dangers - Which Do We Fear More?

This topic submitted by Lisa Hirtzel, Julia Richardson, Nick Lavelle, Lauren Hersch ( herschle@muohio.edu ) on 10/7/04 .

Natural Systems 1 Syllabus---Western Program---Miami University

Natural or Synthetic Dangers: Which Do We Fear More?
Lauren Hersch, Lisa Hirtzel, Nick Lavelle, and Julia Richardson

Abstract
What humans fear is a complex and widely studied phenomenon. In this lab, we will tackle this issue by asking a specific question: which do humans fear more: natural predators or man-made weapons?
By studying the attitudes humans hold towards natural predators, juxtaposed by the views they hold towards man-made weapons, we will distinguish what is perceived to be more "fear-evoking." We will elaborate on this by comparing the reactions and opinions of male and female participants in the two phases of our study.
Introduction
It could be argued that the fear held by humans against animal predators is a natural instinct passed down by evolution- a trait necessary for survival. However, in the modern world, is this fear necessarily rational? For this experiment, we have researched the behavior of four natural predators: sharks, snakes, spiders, and wolves to determine how big of a threat they pose to humans. Next, we gathered statistics on the causes of death caused by encounters with these animals as well as deaths caused by man-made materials and weapons focusing on guns, knives, and explosives.
Snakes inspire fear into humans because of their mystery as a species, and to their unique body structure dealing with movement. One of the most common held theories about the origin of snakes is that they were derived from a "small, fossorial lizard ancestor"(Caldwell 2001). This is one of two possible origins of the snake. The other origin comes from adaptations of marine life, because some snakes have retained some of their former aquatic characteristics (Caldwell 2001). Snakes also have a more deceptive quality to them, in their way of attacking and defeating their victims. Some snakes intimidate their foes by hissing and striking with their mouth closed, before they attack with their sometimes venomous and fatal bite (Savage 2000). The venom of snakes is used primarily to obtain food, and the jaw structure is such that a snake moves the right side of the jaw, and then the left in order to hook their teeth and pull themselves over their victim (Savage 2000).
We believe that people will be afraid of spiders due to their unusual physical characteristics. The origins of spiders, of the class Arachnida are one of the oldest known arthropods, and have been known to date back to the Devonian and Carboniferous deposits (Chickering 2001). These creatures have an interesting body structure. All the parts of the body of a spider are covered with chitinous plates, which then have growths of spines or spikes off of them (Chickering 2001). Their eyes can vary from as many as eight, to as few as none, in some species (Chichering 2001). Spiders also contain venom in which to aid them into capturing their prey. Some spiders have very large prey, such as "frogs, fish, mice, and other small animals"(Berger 2003).
Some of the fear dealing with sharks could be the ignorance of the victim that there is even a shark present where that person happens to be presiding in the water. According to the New York Times, fatalities are not common with sharks, their behavior indicates that the sharks are eager to distance themselves from their victims (New York Times 1995). It is believed that the great white sharks have been around for four hundred million years, but that since their bodies contain no bone, only cartilage, that the only way to trace the remains of a shark is by their teeth (McGavin 2000). The way that sharks know when to strike is extremely admirable. Sharks have the unique ability to be able to sense movement, and to detect blood in the water, this is how they know when to attack (Wragg 2000).
Wolves are a species of predators that have been feared and consequentially killed by humans. The European Wolf, which preside as a common breed in the northern part of Europe, Asia and North America. Adult wolves can stand over two and a half feet tall,
weighing over one hundred pounds, and if something happens to the mother of a litter of cubs, the father will take over and raise the cubs (Curtin, 2001). The wolves of Yellowstone National Park come into contact with humans on a daily basis, these wolves would "jump off the road and circle around vehicles that passed by [the wolves territory] but never deliberately approached a car or person"(Smith and Staller 2004).
The fears can be put into perspective by examining the statistics for causes of death. First, consider that people living in a household with a gun are "five times more likely to commit suicide than those living in a gun-free environment" (Torr, 1974). According to the National Safety Council, the number of deaths in the United States for the year 2001 due to assault by firearm were 11,348 and the number of deaths due to assault by sharp object were 1,971 (2001). The number of deaths due to explosions and other related accidents was 984, in the same year (2001). To compare the difference between the severity in synthetic weapon deaths and deaths caused by animal attack, the statistics show a huge difference in number. The number of deaths according to the National Safety Council in the year 2001, would show that 1,100 people died to the exposure of nature and its elements, 61 people were lost to contact with venomous plants and animals, and 74 died to the bite, sting, or attack by mammals, insects, and other arthropods (NSC 2001). These comparisons strongly indicate that the danger to humans comes not so severely from the forces of nature, whether they be large animals or small insects, but that indeed the fear should be installed in the correct place, in the fear of synthetic weapons.
Methods
Gathering our data will be a two-step process. First, we have created a written survey that will be distributed to obtain statistical information. Second, we will collect visual data, by exposing people to live animals and video clips, and recording their reactions to them.
1. Phase I: Written Survey
a. On the survey itself, we have comprised questions about fears of natural predators to man-made weapons. Included in these questions will be a number of "dummy" questions that will have no effect on the data but will serve to prevent the survey participant from distinguishing a pattern in the questions.
b. We will hand the survey out to forty people in our residence halls.
c. We will survey an equal amount of males and females so we can compare which sex is more afraid of what and whether they are afraid of the same thing or different things.
d. After people have filled out their survey we will present them with the actual statistics about the odds of being attacked or dieing from the natural as opposed to the synthetic, and record their reactions.

The Survey:
Please complete this survey as honestly as possible. All results will remain anonymous. You will not be contacted for a follow-up survey.
Directions: Please mark only one response per question.
Are you more afraid of:
Receiving a snake bite
Receiving a knife wound
Being attacked by a bear

In your lifetime, do you anticipate:
Being forced to fend off an attack from a large predator
Running from a potential murderer
Being caught in a nuclear explosion

When swimming in the ocean, do you think about:
Being hit a motor boat/jet ski
Drowning
Being attacked by a shark

When walking in the woods, do you think about:
Getting lost
Contracting poison ivy/oak/sumac
Being attacked by wolves/mountain lions

What is the main concern you would have while visiting the American Southwest?
The heat
Snake bites
Scorpion stings
Tarantula bites

Out of the following movies, which did you find scariest? (If you have not viewed these films, please move on to question 7)
Arachnophobia
Anaconda
Jaws
Terminator 1,2,or 3
Scream 1,2, or 3

Of the following TV shows, which do you find the most frightening to watch? (If you have not viewed these shows, please move on to question 8)
ER
Survivor
CSI
Cops

Have you ever:
Been attacked by a dog
Been stabbed by a knife
Broken a bone
Been in a car accident

Which do you consider the safest mode of transportation?
Flying in an aircraft
Riding/ driving in a car
Public transportation (i.e. bus, subway, taxi, etc.)

Which of these would you rather own?
A snake
A gun
A tarantula
A Swiss army knife

11-20 Choose the answer that you find most threatening and/or scary
11. a. Being attacked by a shark
b. Having your house/place of residence bombed
12. a. Being attacked by a wolf
b. Having a grenade thrown at you
13. a. Being caught in a cross fire of hand guns
b. Being strangled by a boa constrictor
14. a. Being attacked with a butcher knife
b. Being attacked by a bear
15. a. Being bitten by a venomous spider
b. Being attacked with a chainsaw
16. a. Being chased by a large cat such as a mountain lion b. Being chased by a wolf
17. a. Being mauled by a tiger
b. Learning of a nuclear missile aimed to strike your area of the country
18. a. Being shot with a machine gun
b. Being bitten by a tarantula
19. a. Being blasted by a bazooka
b. Being shot by an AK 47
20. a. Receiving a bite from a black widow spider
b. Receiving a bite from a shark
21. a. Being attacked by a tiger shark
b. Being attacked with an axe
22. a. Being electrocuted
b. Drowning
General Information:
23. Are you:
a. Male
b. Female
24.What year of school are you in?
First
Second
Third
Fourth
Fifth or above
25. What is your area of study?
Architecture/Interior Design
Interdisciplinary Studies
Environmental Studies/Science
Other __________________
Thank you for taking time to complete this survey. Your input is extremely appreciated. If you would like to be notified of the final results or have any questions, you may email hirtzelc@muohio.edu.
2. Phase II: Live Animal Reactions:
a. During "Our Day" with class, with teacher supervision, we will remove some of the laboratory animals from their cages so we can get a first hand look at people's reactions to what are thought of as "scary animals". Specifically what animals we are allowed to remove and show is yet to be determined.
b. Although we will have researched the animals we show, initially we will not share anything with the class so that our experiment participants will have no scientific preconceptions of the animals. i.e. We will not tell if the animal is in fact actually harmful or dangerous.
c. When an animal is leaving its cage, we will have two people watching the reactions of the males and two watching the reaction of the females. We will record their expressions, body language and what they say. Then we will bring the creature closer to people and record their reactions then to see if they have changed.
d. After we put the animals back, we will then tell about the animal (whether it was dangerous or not) to see if their initial reaction has changed. We will then give statistical data of animal attacks related to the animal we got out.
Results
Below are some examples of how we propose to organize and compare the data obtained through the written survey:

Male Female
Man-Made/Material ų Š
Natural Š ų
Hypothesis: Males will be more afraid of the Natural category. Females will be more afraid of the Man-Made category

Male Female
Man-Made/Material Š ų
Natural ų Š
Alternate Hypothesis: Males will be more afraid of the Man-Made/Material category. Females will be more afraid of the Natural category.
Because they are being forced to choose between the two, there are no variables to consider except the honesty of the participants.
The visual phase during "Our Day," however, is more open to interpretation as we will be dealing with many variables including: the perceived vs. actual meaning of facial expressions, the willingness of participants to admit to their fear, and also the fact that this will be conducted in a group setting. For example: while he might admit to it in a private setting, a male student may not wish to reveal his fear of spiders in front of his peers for a risk of being considered weak.
Discussion
We have predicted the preceding information between the fears shown by males versus females, on the subject of animal predators versus synthetic weapons. We have a specific procedure about collecting data:
Week of October 11: Distribution of written survey
Week of October 18: Collection of written survey. Begin to calculate and analyze data.
Week of October 25: Conversion of data into charts, work out a more specific detailed plan of "Our Day"
Procedure for Our Day: The way that our group will present our lab on "Our Day," in which the date is yet to be determined, will be in a visual sense. We plan to use the class in an interactive survey showing them pictures and video clips of animals and weapons. We will record their reaction to these visual images, observing the overall reaction but also paying attention to which animals/weapons specifically gave them more anxiety. We will analyze the differences between the fear shown in males and females. Our predictions are that more females will openly admit to being frightened or feeling anxious when shown the pictures and video clips. This prediction, if proved to be true will open more doors for examination on this topic. The information can there be assessed on why, what driving force makes females react differently than males.
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