Psychological Correlates of Snake Fear and Related Phobic Reactions: A Review of the Roles of Personality Traits, Emotional Intelligence, and Gender

Author(s): Sahebrao Dadaji Sonawane and Dr. Sateesh Surye

Abstract:

Snake fear represents one of the most prevalent and evolutionarily significant human fears. Although caution toward snakes may have adaptive value, excessive fear can develop into ophidiophobia, a specific phobia characterized by intense anxiety, avoidance behavior, and significant psychological distress. Contemporary research indicates that individual differences in personality traits, emotional intelligence, and gender contribute substantially to the development and maintenance of phobic reactions. This review examines current literature on snake fear and related phobic reactions, emphasizing the role of personality traits, emotional intelligence, and gender. Evidence suggests that neuroticism is consistently associated with increased vulnerability to anxiety and phobic disorders, whereas emotional intelligence functions as a protective factor through enhanced emotional regulation and coping abilities. Gender differences have also been observed, with women generally reporting higher prevalence rates of specific phobias and greater emotional sensitivity than men. The review further discusses recent empirical findings, cultural considerations, particularly within the Indian context, and the potential mechanisms linking personality and emotional functioning to fear responses. Existing literature reveals a scarcity of studies specifically examining ophidiophobia and an absence of integrated models that simultaneously consider personality traits, emotional intelligence, and gender. The review concludes by proposing a conceptual framework and identifying future research directions relevant to understanding snake fear among adults.

keywords:
Ophidiophobia, snake fear, personality traits, emotional intelligence, gender differences, specific phobia, anxiety disorders

Pages: 55-58     |    22 View     |    1 Download