What is Fear?

President Harrison speaking to the campus community at the grand re-opening of the University Commons President Harrison speaking to the campus community at the grand re-opening of the University Commons

People experience a lot of fear during Halloween, but what exactly is fear? What causes it? According to Steven Fagbemi, a psychology professor at UHA, “Fear is an emotion we experience whenever we perceive danger. Usually when we’ve had an association with a past negative experience, fear may result.” The amygdala is located in the center of the brain. Impulses that reach the amygdala cause the body to release stress hormones, including adrenaline, which increase heart rate.
Researchers say hypnosis is a common cure for ending phobias.

The ten most common phobias are:

1.Arachnophobia – Fear of spiders
2.Social Phobia – Fear of being evaluated negatively in social situations
3.Aerophobia – Fear of flying
4.Agoraphobia – Fear of open or public places
5.Claustrophobia – Fear of being trapped in small spaces
6.Acrophobia – Fear of heights
7.Emetophobia – Fear of vomit
8.Carcinophobie – Fear of cancer
9.Brontophobia – Fear of thunderstorms
10.Necrophobia – Fear of death or dead things