Fear of frogs
Animal phobia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fear of frogs and toads is both a specific phobia, known simply as frog phobia or ranidaphobia (from Ranidae, the most widespread family of frogs), and a superstition common to the folkways of many cultures. Psychiatric specialty literature uses the simple term "fear of frogs" rather than any specialized term.[1] The term batrachophobia (fear of amphibians) has also been recorded in a 1953 psychiatric dictionary.[2]
 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (February 2010) |
Popular beliefs
According to some, the sight of a frog may be a bad omen. As well, a common myth says that touching frogs and toads may give one warts. (In many other cultures, frogs are considered a good omen.) A survey carried out by researchers from the Johannesburg Zoo have shown that in modern times old superstitions play a less significant role and modern children are more concerned whether frogs are venomous or harmless.[3]
As a phobia
Phobia against frogs often happens after seeing frogs die violently. One case of severe fear of frogs has been described in Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry in 1983: a woman developed an extreme fear of frogs after a traumatic incident in which her lawn mower ran over a group of frogs and killed them.[4]
Portuguese shopkeepers use ceramic frogs to deter Roma people.[5]
See also
References
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