Individual Differences In Distance Perception And Fear Of Heights

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 02 Mar 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Distance perception is among the most pervasive mental phenomena and oldest research topics in behavioural science. However, we do not understand well the most common finding of distance perception research, that of large individual differences.

Evolved navigation theory predicts that these individual differences may relate to navigational costs. Perception of navigation costs in the current study predicted large distance perception differences.

Further, this research revises the common understanding of fear of heights (acrophobia) as an abnormal fear of a stimulus perceived normally. Instead, it suggests that fear of heights consists of a more normal fear of a stimulus perceived abnormally.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Proceedings B is the Royal Society's flagship biological research journal, dedicated to the rapid publication and broad dissemination of high-quality research papers, reviews and comment and reply papers. The scope of the journal is diverse and is especially strong in organismal biology.

Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences