Many people are afraid of many things. For good reason. But many people are afraid of things without good reason. Phobias irrational fears such as a fear of spiders or enclosed spaces are commonplace and familiar. They're deemed irrational because the average person in the modern world has little or nothing to fear from such things.
Unfortunately, the instincts and subconscious processes that influence and guide our thinking and behaviour run on much older programming. We instinctively fear certain things because we evolved in environments where they were a threat. So much so that ancient fear instincts, expressed in modern, rational contexts, can disrupt mental functioning and wellbeing. Hence phobias are anxiety disorders.
But while familiar, arachnophobia and claustrophobia aren't the most common phobias. Public speaking, talking on the phone, meeting new people, asking someone out... So many people are irrationally terrified of these objectively harmless actions that social anxiety isn't just the most common class of phobia, it's one of the most common mental disorders.
But why? Humans are arguably the most sociable species ever. So if we're so friendly and keen on interaction, why do so many of us fear this exact thing? To answer, we need to understand why humans are so social in the first place.
Humans aren't the most impressive species. We're not the strongest or fastest. We can't fly, we don't have armour or weapons, or even camouflage. And yet we've managed to completely dominate the planet anyway. How?
THE SECRET TO OUR SUCCESS
It's because we're social, cooperative. A wolf or saber-toothed tiger could easily dispatch a single human. But five people, all working together? No chance. The human tendency to form harmonious, cooperative tribes is what has made us so successful.
この記事は BBC Science Focus の March 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は BBC Science Focus の March 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
THE HUNGER GAME
Obesity is on the rise, but as we blame our unhealthy food-ridden environment and look to wonder drugs to get rid of unwanted fat, what role do our genetics play?
HOW THE UNIVERSE WILL END
A colossal supercollider now in the early stages of development may one day help us predict the ultimate fate of the Universe. With it, scientists will be trying to find a hidden instability built into the fabric of existence... an instability that could destroy everything
DARK ENERGY MIGHT BE ABOUT TO THROW A SPANNER IN THE WORKS
The most mysterious phenomenon in the Universe could be about to spring another surprise on us
TAKE-OFF AT LAST
AFTER A LONG WAIT, THE WORLD'S FIRST ZERO EMISSIONS AEROPLANES ARE FINALLY TAXIING TO REALITY. BUT ARE THEY THE SOLUTION WE NEED?
INSIDE THE 3D, NANOSCALE ATLAS THAT REVEALS A FRACTION OF THE HUMAN BRAIN
The map is now the highest-resolution picture of the human brain ever created
HOW THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN NUCLEAR FORENSICS MAY HELP CLEAN UP CHERNOBYL
Contrary to popular belief, radioactive material doesn't glow. But a team of nuclear forensics experts are working on a device to make it do just that. BBC Science Focus's Noa Leach meets the scientists behind the innovative device
MAJOR STUDY SHOWS HOW ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS CHANGE YOUR LIFESPAN, IF YOU'RE NOT EATING YOUR VEG
While ultra-processed food is bad for your health, a decades-long study suggests it may not be as harmful as previously thought
ORIGIN OF EARTH'S 'SECOND MOON' DISCOVERED
Asteroid sampling mission will confirm whether moon-like Kamo'oalewa came from our Moon
INTERMITTENT FASTING AND CORRECTLY TIMED WORKOUTS ARE KEY TO FAT LOSS, SAYS STUDY
A new approach to dieting and exercise could help you lose weight and enhance your health
MASSIVE EXPLOSION SPOTTED ON MYSTERIOUS DEAD STAR
A satellite in the right place at the right time captured an important cosmic sight