Question of the Day
I remember reading a few years ago that the only two “fears” that can’t be fully trained out of a person are the fears that come from sudden loud noises, or vertigo. Then I saw Devi’s comment to Winston about the fireworks in Beijing (on facebook) and remembered how Winston, and many other pets for that matter, get extremely frightened and shake or cry during loud noises, like the crackers at Christmas time, or even thunder. Why is this?
The obvious answer is that loud noises alert us to the possibility of danger, but that doesn’t sufficiently explain it to me. Winston hated hearing the crackers even when the sound persisted and he knew nobody was getting hurt. Another possibility is that we are frightened merely out of surprise, but why would surprise scare us so much? And why do we remain scared even after we identify the source of the noise?
I don’t know, but I hate it when Andy pretends to be a zombie (of the 28 weeks later variety, all that freaky hissing and snarling, ready-to-gouge-out-eyes variety, even though I can identify who it is and know from repeat experience that he isn’t really going to start ripping off my flesh, it still scares me!
One source described the fear as a result of brain wiring:
“Tthe unconscious mind thinks: ‘Ahh, this whole thing is very dangerous. How do I keep myself from getting in this kind of situation again? I know, I’ll attach terrible feelings to loud noises, that way I’ll steer clear in future and so be safe.’ Just like that fear of loud noises is born. Attaching emotions to situations is one of the primary ways that humans learn. Sometimes we just get the wiring wrong.
Dad
Well I jump when I happen upon someone I’m not expecting even if I know them..and even if they are unexpectedly in the house but they live there..and scream at ice unexpectedly thrown down my back.
Surprise and fear sometimes go together. Remember when Devi ccried at fireworks? Lots of kids are afraid of clowns.
~~~