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Spider Fear Questionnaire

Does the fear of spiders loom large for you? Take this test to find out if you have 'arachnophobia.'

Scott Travers, Ph.D.

By Scott Travers, Ph.D.

August 7, 2024

Scott Travers, Ph.D., is an American evolutionary biologist based at Rutgers University. His specialty areas include biodiversity, genomics, and herpetology. Scott's research has taken him to faraway places such as the remote jungles of Central America, the deserts of Africa, and the isolated islands of the South Pacific. He has discovered new species, expanded natural history museum collections, and, most importantly, assisted in global conservation efforts. His favorite animals are snakes and his favorite snake is the green tree python.

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Arachnophobia is an intense fear of spiders and other arachnids, such as scorpions. This fear is one of the most common specific phobias, and it affects a significant portion of the population. Individuals with arachnophobia often experience extreme anxiety or panic at the sight or even thought of spiders. This fear can lead to avoidance behaviors—such as steering clear of places where spiders might be present—and can significantly impact daily life, limiting activities and causing distress.

Understanding your level of arachnophobia is crucial for managing its impact on your life. Knowing the severity of your fear can help you recognize how it influences your behaviors and decisions. It can also guide you in seeking appropriate interventions—such as therapy or self-help strategies—to reduce anxiety and improve your quality of life. Being aware of your phobia can allow you to take proactive steps in confronting and gradually overcoming your fear.

The Spider Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) is a valuable tool for assessing the intensity and characteristics of an individual's fear of spiders. Developed by psychologists to provide a reliable and valid measure of arachnophobia, the SFQ helps individuals and mental health professionals understand the specific aspects of their fear, such as the triggers and reactions. By using the questionnaire, you can gain insights into your phobia and track your progress over time.

You can take this test here. Follow all of the steps to receive your results.

References: Klorman, R., Weerts, T. C., Hastings, J. E., Melamed, B. G., Lang, P. J. (1974). Psychometric descriptions of some specific fear questionnaires. Behavior Therapy, 5, 401-409.

Step 1: Rate the following statements based on how much you agree with them on a scale of strongly disagree to strongly agree.

1. I avoid going to parks or on camping trips because there may be spiders about.

2. I would feel some anxiety holding a toy spider in my hand.

3. If a picture of a spider crawling on a person appears on the screen during a motion picture, I turn my head away.

4. I dislike looking at pictures of spiders in magazines.

5. If there is a spider on the ceiling over my bed, I cannot go to sleep unless someone kills it for me.

6. I am terrified by the thought of touching a harmless spider.

7. If someone says that there are spiders anywhere about, I become alert and edgy.

8. I would not go down to the basement to get something if I thought there might be spiders down there.

9. I would feel uncomfortable if a spider crawled out of my shoe as I took it out of the closet to put it on.

10. When I see a spider, I feel tense and restless.

11. I feel sick when I see a spider.

12. I shudder when I think of spiders.

13. I don't believe anyone could hold a spider without some fear.

14. The way spiders move is repulsive.

15. If I came upon a spider while cleaning the attic, I would probably run.

16. I'm probably more afraid of spiders than of any other animal.

17. I would not want to travel to Mexico or Central America because of the greater prevalence of tarantulas.

18. I am cautious when buying fruit because bananas may attract spiders.

19. I wouldn't take a course in biology if I thought I might have to handle live spiders.

20. I would prefer not to finish a story if something about spiders was introduced into the plot.

21. Not only am I afraid of spiders, but millipedes and caterpillars make me feel anxious.

22. Even if I was late for a very important appointment, the thought of spiders would stop me from taking a shortcut through an underpass.

0 of 0 questions answered

Step 2: Enter your age, gender, region, and first name so we can provide you with a detailed report that compares your test scores with people similar to you.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Check to make sure you've provided answers to all of the statements/questions above. Once you've done that, click the button below to send your responses to Awake Therapy's Lead Psychologist, Mark Travers, Ph.D. He will provide you with an overview of how you scored relative to others (all answers are anonymized and confidential to protect users' privacy). He can also answer any follow-up questions you may have.