Have spiders evolved to know humans are scared of them?

Question

eric dee, people are scared of many different things me...spiders...but dont mind bunjee jumping or sky diving

Answer 1

Maybe, but one thing that always bothers me is why are people petrified by such small things???? I reckon it's an instinct for people to be afraid of spiders that is in our DNA from many yrs ago...........

Answer 2

Sure! that is why they stand their ground and mock you when you try to scoop them up to get rid of them instead of running way from you.  

Answer 3

i would say so because most people would kill spiders because they hate bugs.  and they would also be food for predators.

Answer 4

No. I don't think they are aware of your fear and would prefer it if you left them well alone. You might fear them but they are good friends to have in the house especially in the summer, in blue bottle season. There is absolutely nothing a spider can do to harm you apart from your own self-fear. This won't change your perceptions but remember many animals fear people and with good reason

Answer 5

I don't know if they have brains .

Answer 6

No, taking from personal reference.  Most people i know are not afraid of spiders.  Also there are spiders in places where humans have never been so they would have not interacted with humans yet.  

Answer 7

Not exactly. Spiders have evolved obviously, but not just because of the presence of humans. They have limited mental faculties, which evolution cannot cover.

Answer 8

I'm not scared of spiders or any other bugs,why be scared of something that is so much smaller than you ?, if I find any in my house I usually just carefully pick them up and take them outside and release them - I don't see any point in squashing and killing them as they haven't done me any harm and they are actually very beneficial to the world by keeping the numbers of flies, moths and other bugs down

Answer 9

Geeze, talk about your gross generalization and wild simplification.  Spiders don't "know" anything.  The way you use the word "humans" would include every human now existing on Earth.  Surely you cant really think that all humans fear a small little helpless harmless arthropod?  I can assure you, you do not represent ALL of humanity.  

If you have a real phobia, then get some help.  A few hours with a counselor will do you some good.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to fear a spider.  You have a greater chance of being harmed by one of the neighbor dogs.  

Answer 10

No. Spiders evolved before we did, and we aren't their major predator.  There just wouldn't be any selection for it.

Though I'm a bit suspicious about whether cats have evolved to jump into the lap of the one person allergic to them. ;)