Spidey Can”
Preliminary Evidence Showing Arachnophobia Symptom Reduction Due to Superhero Movie Exposure
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15519401 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Yaakov Hoffman (0000-0001-5158-012X, Bar-Ilan University, corresponding author), Yaakov S G Hoffman, Shani Pitcho (0000-0002-9044-5710, Ariel University), Shani Pitcho-Prelorentzos, Lia Ring (0000-0001-5203-4091, Ariel University), Menachem Ben‐ezra (0000-0002-7890-2069, Ariel University, corresponding author), Menachem Ben-Ezra |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Pages | 354-354 |
| Publication date | 2019-06-07 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00354 |
| PMID | 31231249 |
| OpenAlex | W2941392513 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 15 |
Fear of insects, mainly spiders, is considered one of the most common insect phobias. However, to date, no conducted studies have examined the effects of phobic stimulus exposure (spiders/ants) within the positive context of superhero movies, such as Spider-Man or Ant-Man . A convenience sample of 424 participants divided into four groups watched different clips. Two intervention groups ( Spider-Man / Ant-Man ) and two control groups (Marvel opening/natural scene) were measured twice (pre-post intervention). The measures comprised an online survey assessing socio-demographic variables, familiarity with superhero movies and comics, and phobic symptoms. Reduction in phobic symptoms was significant in the Spider-Man and Ant-Man groups in comparison to the control groups. Seven-second exposure to insect-specific stimuli within a positive context reduces the level of phobic symptoms. Incorporating exposure to short scenes from superhero movies within a therapeutic protocol for such phobias may have the potential to be robustly efficacious and enhance cooperation and motivation
Anxiety · Anxiety disorder · Biology · Context (archaeology · Phobias · Psychiatry · Specific phobia · Spider · Animal and Plant Science Education · Film in Education and Therapy · Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports · Psychology · Ecology
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2025 (2) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |