D2e2 Bennett-Levy and Marteau (1984): fear of animals

Question 1

Bennet-Levy and Marteau aim

Answer 1

To see whether we are more afraid of, or avoid animals that move quickly, move suddenly, or look very different from people

Question 2

Bennett-Levy and Marteau procedure

Answer 2

1) 2 questionnaires about the same 29 animals. Participants told none of animals were dangerous
2) Questionnaire 1: asked about fear of animals and how close person would like to get to them. Fear scale: 1= not afraid, 3= very afraid. Nearness scale: 1= enjoy picking up, 5= move further away than 2m
Questionnaire 2: measured how participants felt about each animal. They rated species on 3 point scale: 1= not, 2= quite, 3=very for ugliness, sliminess, how speedy they were, how suddenly they moved
3) 30 men and 34 women answered Q1, 24 men and 25 women answered Q2. Some were also interviewed

Question 3

Bennett-Levy and Marteau findings

Answer 3

The animals, in order of most feared first were: rat, cockroach, jellyfish, spider, slug, grass snake, beetle, lizard…….rabbit
The animals that were rated more ugly were quite different in structure from humans. E.g cockroaches have 6 legs, antennae, and wings. Spiders have 8 legs and are hairy. People were more afraid of some animals and less likely to get near them. Even if they were told the rats and jellyfish were harmless, they were still afraid and didn’t like getting close to them
In interviews- participants described ugly animals as hairy, slimy, dirty, with antennae, eyes in odd places and strange number of legs.
Men and women judged ugliness similarly, and didn’t differ in how ugly, slimy, speedy or suddenly moving they thought the animals were. Women less likely to approach many of the animals.
Overall: people less likely to approach ugly, slimy, speedy or suddenly moving animals
more afraid of ugly, slimy speedy or suddenly moving animals
thought speedy animals moved suddenly

Question 4

Bennett-Levy and Marteau conclusions

Answer 4

Ugliness, speediness, sliminess, and moving suddenly all make animals more frightening. Ugliness is judged by how different animal is from human. Many animals that cause phobias are ugly, slimy, speedy or sudden movers, which supports idea that preparedness related to animal’s features

Question 5

Bennett-Levy and Marteau Strengths

Answer 5

1) different participants answered two questionnaires. Helped ensure they didn’t guess aim
2) both men and women used, findings applicable to both. Important to see whether men and women’s phobias are different because they judge features differently (they don’t)
3) participants didn’t actually see animals, which could have frightened them- avoided ethical issue
4) findings useful as they explain why fears not always linked to experiences with animals.

Question 6

Bennett-Levy and Marteau weaknesses

Answer 6

1) participants told animals not dangerous but many still thought rats were harmful, instruction was not very successful
2) questionnaires only asked about 6 factors in interviews, participants said other things that made animals scary, only few people interviewed