• Question: why do we get scared?

    Asked by westbelieving12 to Mike, Pip, Tim, Tom on 4 Jul 2012.
    • Photo: Tom Lister

      Tom Lister answered on 4 Jul 2012:

      It seems a very fundamental response which I guess developed to increase our chances of survival by causing us to respond to danger by either running away, screaming or hiding. This would be good for the individual, or other people in a group (we all know that piercing scream!)

      There are more subtle fears too, like being scared of being humiliated. These must be related to learned behaviours, encouraging you do things which increase your chances of fitting in with a society or group and stopping you from doing anything that will upset them. Fear of confrontation is a common human trait for example.

      Oh, and you may get scared of doing something that has resulted in a problem before – like touching a hot stove – I think the reason for that is obvious!

    • Photo: Tim Stephens

      Tim Stephens answered on 4 Jul 2012:

      Great answer Tom!

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