Talk:Arachnophobia/Archive 1

message: :Another suggested cause of arachnophobia is that it is a disorder of face perception in the affected individuals.  In this theory, a person's brain is accustomed to the facial and body features of humans and vertebrates, including the abstract positions, shapes and numbers of eyes, nostrils, mouth, and the face of the wider recognizable body as a whole.  In non-vertebrates, and particularly so with spiders, the functions of eyes, mouth and legs may be recognized, but as they appear in the "wrong" shapes, sizes, amounts, locations, etc., the sight of a spider can trigger the brain to perceive a scary and disturbing image, triggering the release of hormones that produce an immediate and compelling fight-or-flight response.  As most sufferers of arachnophobia come from parts of the world where spiders are rare, then this theory reasons that young children who frequently encounter spiders are less likely to associate them as scary or disturbing sights, and are less likely to develop arachnophobia.
The above unrerefenced paragraph sat in the article for quite some time. Now its place is here until the requested reference provided. `'mikka 04:06, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Unreferenced piece deleted 

message: Thanks for the new image. I remember once you had a tarantula on the article. Thanks.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.43.226.126 (talk) 22:08, 8 March 2008 (UTC)
thread_title:  The new image 

message: I have a extreme fear of spiders, are there any pictures in the article that could scare me? I came here from the link from Wikipedia:Lamest edit wars which was directly to the talk page, although Wikipedia is not censored, I would advise against pictures put on wikipedia for the single purpose of scaring people. (Like the whole thing about the tarantula.) BassxForte 20:42, 13 February 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Currently, there is only a cartoon image of a girl being scared by a spider-looking toy on a string.  I am also afraid of spiders, and found nothing scary about the image. - Cowmeister88 22:28, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

text: I still flinch whenever I load the page, after looking back through the history and finding a spider picture about yea big as the only content of one edit. (don't worry about that picture; it's of an entirely different hairy monster.) Yellow Ant 05:07, 20 February 2007 (UTC)

text: Isn't it natural to be afraid of anything small and wiggly that you can't see very clearly? That's why elephants are afraid of mice. It's not safe to allow something small and skittery to share your space, who knows what it could be?  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.72.21.221 (talk) 03:51, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

text: I'm an arachnophobe, but before I read this article I disabled any images in it, cos even cartoon pictures of spiders freak me out. If you go to your monobook thing and type body.page-image name img {display: none;} (i.e. body.page-Arachnophobia img {display: none;} then that should help. Anyway, more info here. londonsista | Prod 21:54, 2 July 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: Fear

message: Would fear of scorpions also be considered arachnophobia? After all, scorpions are arachnids too.   —Preceding unsigned comment added by 148.150.30.3 (talk) 15:09, 16 October 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: Scorpions?

message: In the last full paragraph an unattributed statement is made that is incorrect.
Or at least it is incorrect if you agree that the Czech Republic is in Central Europe.
"....For example, there are no deadly spiders native to central and northern Europe that could exert an evolutionary pressure, yet that is where the strongest fear for spiders began[citation needed], suggesting cultural learning. In contrast, many non-European cultures generally do not fear spiders,..."
My mother's parents were Czech, and growing up my mother aways told me that spiders are considered good luck [to the Czechs and Slavs] and that finding a spider in the house isn't something to fear. 
See this link for corroboration. 
--69.38.181.75 (talk) 22:14, 25 March 2009 (UTC)
thread_title: Where arachnophobia originated

message: If homophobia is a form of discrimination, then why isn't arachnaphobia?
They are both phobias, and they both mean that they can tell what's a human/arachnid and what's not.--114.76.212.56 (talk) 06:19, 7 June 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: See homophobia.--Ar-Pharazôn (talk) 09:29, 24 December 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  Arachnaphobia IS DISCRIMINATION I TELL YA! 

message: I have really really bad aracnophobia and I do actually become hyper alert and have a slight panic when I hear the word spider. So maybe what that guy said should be looked into,  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.150.77.157 (talk) 15:03, 3 October 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: Yeah, me too, I am phobic about the creatures themselves and shudder/panic when I hear the word. I wish they were called angels or butterflies or something else, although I guess I'd be scared of those words then. An interesting avenue of research, in any case. Ericoides (talk) 18:24, 3 February 2010 (UTC)
thread_title:  Fear of the word spider may actually be true 

message: "Studies have shown that a fear of spiders can develop before birth.[2]"
The reference given for this statement is an MSNBC article, which is hardly worth linking to. I am not familiar with the article's writer, but given the general trash that comes from science departments at major media outlets, and given that the article fails to name a researcher, research institute, peer reviewed journal in which the study is found, etc, I feel this reference is totally worthless and should be removed.
The entire sentence should be removed, as it provides little information, and is misleading. The "study" cited dealt with insects, while the statement's context implies human or higher primate research. The effect observed was due to stressing the parent while pregnant, not due to some genetic change, and so the statement is in the wrong paragraph (this paragraph dealing with evolutionary causes).
Any objections?  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.233.77.207 (talk) 15:51, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
thread_title: Poor Reference

message: I remember being a kid, and scaring the hell out of my little sister by saying we would put a spider in her bed :-). The article confirms the notion that arachnophobia is a "gendered" fear. Are there any hypotheses why this occurs so much more in women than in men? Steinbach (talk) 09:35, 20 July 2010 (UTC)
thread_title: Incidence according to sexes

message: I'd just like the say that the new image is perfect.  Good work!  --Haemo 01:29, 3 February 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: Perfectly awful. A 6-legged clown on a string and 2 ugly fat kids who look like terrible racial caricatures (though of what race, I couldn't say).  Anyway, there's still a picture of a spider on the talk:arthropod pages thing.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.72.21.221 (talk) 03:48, 23 March 2008 (UTC)

text: She was eating her curds and way. Not cooking! :D (Little Miss Muffet is an nursery rhyme in the United States, not sure how well know it is in other countries) And sexism requires making a generalization. An example of a single person cannot be generalized at all. You might say that it is demeaning, inappropriate, or offensive, but this cartoon seems pretty tame.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.233.77.207 (talk) 16:06, 14 May 2010 (UTC)
replies: text: As an extreme arachnophobe I dreaded coming to this page; may I just say that the image is perfect, thanks. Ericoides (talk) 18:24, 3 February 2010 (UTC)
thread_title: New Image

message: The article makes an unreferenced connection between arachnophobia and cuisine. This should have a citation. The millions of people who fear sharks yet eat them belie the assertion.
DaveDixon (talk) 22:28, 4 January 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: How about http://www.cambodiancooking.com.au/?  This article features a cookbook actually entitled "From Spiders to Water Lilies".  Could this be a reliable source?  Another good one is , but I would not suggest arachnophobes read the description...  Anyway, it would seem that there are plenty of references out there.  A simple Google search elicited these results, among others. Careful With That Axe, Eugene Hello... 10:43, 5 January 2011 (UTC)
thread_title:  Spiders as cuisine 

message: There used to be a kid back at school who was intensely arachnophobic, so much that the word 'Spider,' would make him actually shiver. In the article it is mentioned that pictures can evoke this response, how about adding that words can too?
: I don't have a source or any idea how common it is but I know this happens to me too. It's much, much milder than the reaction to an actual spider but for example I'll try to avoid putting my fingers over the word spider when reading a book. I have no idea why, all I can think is it's something to do with the fact that I tend to create mental images when reading - if I see the word I'm liable to think of a spider - but that doesn't explain why I don't like touching the word. I might try and find out more about it, but if anyone else has any info I'd love to see it added. Danikat (talk) 18:56, 13 February 2011 (UTC)
thread_title: Fear of the word 'Spider'

message: /Archived talks about spider images
WARNING. Before you want to write something about images of spiders, it is strongly suggested to re-read the archived talk. Unless you suggest some new considerations, not already covered, your post may be removed. This is not a chat room and Wikipedia is not censored just because someone dislikes or fears something. If you or your friend really has a  problem, it is strongly advised to seek qualified medical help. Wikipedia will not help you.  `'mikka 02:39, 12 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I have to concur with the above comment.  This is truly an absurd interpretation of censorship, and the inclusion of completely spurious content in an article does not aid the cause of Wikipedia.  --Haemo 09:29, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

text: It WAS created but since deleted. (John User:Jwy talk) 17:29, 20 December 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: Spider image

message: You guys might be interested in knowing that this ridiculous little edit war you guys have going on here is now listed on the Lamest edit wars ever page. 
I say the following as a complete outsider, as an experienced Wikipedian who has never participated in the discussion here but who has been silently watching it for several months now: For goodness' sakes, User:Mikkalai, your interpretation of Wikipedia is not censored is so asinine that it borders on WikiLawyering! (Perhaps you should take a look at Wikipedia:Ignore all rules and Wikipedia:Use common sense. Also, having noticed that you're the one dominating your side of this edit war, I suggest you also read Wikipedia:Ownership of articles.)--138.88.78.74 05:38, 15 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: I have to concur with the above comment.  This is truly an absurd interpretation of censorship, and the inclusion of completely spurious content in an article does not aid the cause of Wikipedia.  --Haemo 09:29, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

text: It WAS created but since deleted. (John User:Jwy talk) 17:29, 20 December 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: Lame edit war!

message: There are some good hypothesises of why we have arachnophobia one of my favourite which I doubt I came up with, is down to our ancestors, our 400-500 million year old aquatic ancestors were eaten by arthropods, the sea scorpions, the ancestors of spiders and scorpions, also in 300 million years ago, our ancestors which were in that time gecko-like reptiles were eaten by the arthopods in the form of a giant spider and that is why we have arachnophobia, our ancestors gave it to us as our ancestors which were not scared of spiders might try to eat one or may go next to one as they were not scared of them and die so our ancestors developed arachnophobia. 86.129.28.255 (talk) 10:15, 20 December 2008 (UTC)
replies: text: We would need a good citation to include it here. (John User:Jwy talk) 17:31, 20 December 2008 (UTC)

text: A much more likely evolutionary explaination would be that a fear of spiders was an advantage for early humans living in areas where deadly/dangerous spiders exist(ed). Those who were scared by the site of a spider were much less likely to come into contact with one, and therefore less likely to get bitten. Of course there is nothing to say the trait didn't go even further back but it would be almost impossible to prove. I've never even seen a source for that version though, but I've heard it suggested often enough that I'd be suprised if someone hasn't looked into it. Danikat (talk) 19:00, 13 February 2011 (UTC)
replies: text: I struggle to believe the evolutionary ideas after my daughter learned to fear spiders at school. Before school she would happily handle any spider. We, her parents, deliberately behaved calmly around spiders and encouraged her to be interested in them. Then, after her first year at school she developed the fear - having seen how other children react to them, she began to do the same.  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 194.74.0.10 (talk) 11:00, 11 September 2012 (UTC)
thread_title: Why we have arachnophobia

message: The numbers (people with arachnophobia) in the article are inconsistent / contradictory.
*Lead: "...some statistics show that 50% of women and 10% of men..."
*Culture: "...as many as 55% of females and 18% of males..."
*Treatment: "Arachnophobia affects 3.5 to 6.1 of the population." [no units: is this percent?]
~Somehow, this needs to be clarified. ~Thanks, ~E : 74.60.29.141 (talk) 19:01, 22 December 2012 (UTC)
thread_title: Numbers

message: So here's my sudden thought: why don't we replace the photo with one which somehow depicts the phobia itself? Perhaps a cartoon of some kind would work — although I'm not an arachnophobe myself, I would guess that drawn renditions are usually not quite as frightening as realistic photos (but do correct me if I'm wrong). I seem to recall at least one other article with tries this trick (of using a drawing to depict something sort of abstract) for a different reason, but I can't recall which one.
The other specific possibility I can think of right now (feel free to ponder along similar lines) would be an image from a film such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, in which (spoiler alert) the character Ron must confront his arachnophobia by facing down enormous spiders called Acromantulas. If one such frame were used (without violating copyright rules of course), it wouldn't even need to include an image of one of the spiders themselves at all, just that of Harry and a terrified Ron behind the windshield of that car (if I remember the movie correctly).
An obvious objection would be that such depictions tend to be exaggerated and therefore possibly offensive to arachnophobes (consider that comedy, rather than sympathy, is drawn from Ron's phobia in the film). That said, you'll be hard-pressed to find a depiction which doesn't seem "out-of-wack" to some achranophobes, since each one experiences the fear in a different way. Even supposing that the fear were confronted and captured with permission on a candid camera, it probably still wouldn't seem "right".
Such, sadly, is the nature of irrational fears (irrational in the sense that they persist even when actual dangers are absent, not in the sense that there isn't any basis for the fear in the first place): It's basically "all in your head", and models like computer images can only approximate, but never match, them. (It would seem to require some sort of science-fiction device to produce an image that would instantly make non-arachnophobes understand the fear without simultaneously causing that fear in arachnophobes.) Yeah, it's a doozy, all right.
All that aside, I'm still in favor of my own idea, and and very willing to do the searching/uploading necessary to find such an image if others support it. --Lenoxus 02:51, 11 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: All right, so having taken closer attention to the other text on this page (even the stuff which isn't split into paragraphs, at which point my eyes usually kinda blur, sorroy) I see that this idea has indeed been raised by two users: TaggedJC and Gilgamesh. The former suggests something similar to my cartoon notion, instead regarding a picture with a toy, while the latter suggests something entiely different from either of us: A diagram indicating the more frightening parts of spiders and how this correlates with , perhaps in such a way as would midigate the fear-inducing qualities of such a picture. I would support either of these notions, although I naturally have a slightly less vague sense of the first. --Lenoxus 03:29, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

text: I strongly favour this approach - if only because it will, once and for all, kill off the silliest edit war I have ever had the amusement to read.  Well, at least, it would be amusing were it not an important issue.  Find us a better picture, people!  --Haemo 09:32, 17 January 2007 (UTC)
replies: text: i found a picture of little miss muffet on isecta inspecta, and you can cite her as a classic sufferer of said disease, but i dont know how... —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Pendragonneo (talk • contribs) 23:32, 1 February 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Totally New Picture Idea (I hope) 

message: Prior content in this article duplicated one or more previously published sources. The material was copied from: http://www.disabled-world.com/health/neurology/phobias/arachnophobia.php#ixzz1zuUsTTTr http://www.livescience.com/9808-fear-spiders-develop-birth.html. Copied or closely paraphrased material has been rewritten or removed and must not be restored, unless it is duly released under a compatible license. (For more information, please see "using copyrighted works from others" if you are not the copyright holder of this material, or "donating copyrighted materials" if you are.) For legal reasons, we cannot accept copyrighted text or images borrowed from other web sites or published material; such additions will be deleted. Contributors may use copyrighted publications as a source of information, but not as a source of sentences or phrases. Accordingly, the material may be rewritten, but only if it does not infringe on the copyright of the original or plagiarize from that source. Please see our guideline on non-free text for how to properly implement limited quotations of copyrighted text. Wikipedia takes copyright violations very seriously, and persistent violators will be blocked from editing. While we appreciate contributions, we must require all contributors to understand and comply with these policies. Thank you.  Moonriddengirl (talk) 14:33, 30 June 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  Copyright problem removed 

message: 'As with all phobias, the strength of the associations means the individual must not actively pursue the consequences, and outsiders should not in any way undermine and "play" with the phobia in the meantime.'
What does this actually mean?  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.36.134.2 (talk) 18:46, 15 September 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: Hi 92.36.134.2! You are quite right, this is a confusing sentence. It wasn't sourced either, so I removed it. I think it means that someone with arachnophobia should avoid spiders (must not actively pursue the consequences), otherwise they can become overwhelmed (the strength of the associations), and that others should not tease ( "play" with the phobia) the person with arachnophobia. But I am not sure.... Lova Falk talk 06:51, 2 October 2013 (UTC)
thread_title:  "Pursue the consequences"? 

message: "'Most people with this phobia are scared that spiders may be on them. They also dislike the faces (as in, the abundance of black eyes, large fangs, etc. look both abnormal and threatening) and the creeping legs of spiders."
I'm not really sure how this part enhances the article, besides accurately describing a frightening spider. Reading the excerpt within parenthesis really freaked me out. I'm going to try and edit this/remove the phrase to make it less frightening. And also, thank you so, so, so, so much to everyone who fought for the current picture. It's perfect. People who argued against leaving the frightening picture don't seem to realize how horribly those images can affect people. So thank you. --72.160.128.166 (talk) 21:55, 26 September 2009 (UTC)
thread_title: Not intentionally vandalizing

message: Someone is trying to give a little undue prominence to the Little Miss Muffett cartoon. It's a cutesy picture, but it shouldn't be something that is given more prominence on the page than the lead itself, which documents the medical condition. This cartoon has been stable in the "culture" section for a while now. If it becomes contentious, we should probably remove the image altogether.__ E L A Q U E A T E 10:50, 3 September 2014 (UTC)
replies: text: It is common practice to have an image in the lead. We often use "cartoons" and its placement in the lead is perfectly appropriate. If it becomes contentious we could have a RfC I suppose Doc James (talk · contribs · email) (if I write on your page reply on mine) 10:51, 3 September 2014 (UTC)
replies: text: It's also common practice to not have an image in the lead. This article has an illustration, there's no reason to make it look like an article primarily about the nursery rhyme. __ E L A Q U E A T E 10:57, 3 September 2014 (UTC)
thread_title:  Cartoony picture 

message: At the BLP noticeboard, Andy the Grump made the excellent point that with the apparent ubiquity of this condition, such a list becomes of questionable value. Another editor then added the "dynamic list" template. While it was no doubt done with good intentions, I don't think that "encouraging editors to expand" the list is such a great idea. If the condition affects up to 55% of women and 18% of men, such a list could be expanded ad infinitum. I think it would be better to remove the list. Any egregiously notable examples of celebrities with arachnophobia could be discussed in prose. Joefromrandb (talk) 10:06, 18 November 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: I'd remove the template, but that would mean that editors would simply fill it up again with unsourced links. And while it could be expanded ad infinitum, the number of notable people with documented arachnophobia is finite. If it gets too large simply create List of notable people with arachnophobia or similar.--Auric  talk 10:49, 18 November 2013 (UTC)
replies: text: I'm going to remove the list. Being afraid of spiders does not equate phobia. Even telling the media that you have a phobia does not equate phobia. Even if you do have a phobia, is it a notable phobia? If you are already famous is your phobia automatically noteworthy? I'd think not. Beach drifter (talk) 04:16, 22 August 2015 (UTC)
thread_title:  "Dynamic list" 

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thread_title:  External links modified