# Fear and Loathing: An Evolutionary Explanation ![](/files/WQiKtt0NeqDzGMe93Bhq) For a truly fascinating example biological approach in action, listen to this short account of [new research on the fear of snakes amongst primates and monkeys.](https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/10/29/241370496/eeek-snake-your-brain-has-a-special-corner-just-for-them#:~:text=Eeek%2C%20Snake!-,Your%20Brain%20Has%20A%20Special%20Corner%20Just%20For%20Them%20%3A%20Shots,humans%20quickly%20recognize%20venomous%20snakes.\&text=The%20neurons%20respond%20to%20photos,more%20than%20to%20monkey%20faces.) Evidently, it’s hard-wired into the neurons of our visual apparatus, and thus must be an inherited behavior with its sources in the evolutionary process. This is an interesting demonstration of how our behavior may be shaped by our biology. But what about people who love snakes and even keep them as pets? Have they conquered a primal fear, and have they learnt to overcome even the most securely hard-wired responses? What does this suggest about the validity of evolutionary explanations, and about their usefulness for psychological understanding? {% file src="/files/iIElhIMUSFcIRTbQObGU" %} This post was inspired by Stuart Cipinko. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://guide.fariaedu.com/psychology-teacher-articles/biological-approach-1/fear-and-loathing-an-evolutionary-explanation.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.