These Are The Phobias That Give Texans Nightmares
Texas is a state known for its rugged individualism and often tough demeanor. Images of rough and rowdy cowboys fill the mind any time you hear the Lone Star State mentioned.
So, what could possibly scare a Texan? A recent study was done to determine what exactly scares us all the most, and the answer is something I never would have expected.
Why Texas Isn’t Just About Cowboys and Toughness
The recent study, conducted (no pun intended) by MRO Electric, surveyed people across the U.S. trying to determine prevailing fears that we all have. When it comes to Texas, our fears were not what I expected.
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They separated fears into three categories: Classic Fears or Phobias, Horror-Themed Fears, and Societal or Current Event-Based Fears.
Classic, Horror, and Societal Fears Explored
In Texas, our biggest fears and phobias were heights and public speaking. Never in a million years would I have guessed public speaking.
When you think about it, though, how many times have you heard someone say how terrified they are of being in front of a crowd? More than you can probably count.
When it comes to Horror-Themed Fears, spiders are the one thing Texans are afraid of most. It makes sense. Everything is bigger in Texas, and our spiders can be terrifying.
What Texans Fear Most Beyond Phobias
Lastly, in the category of Societal Fears, Texans have two top fears. One is running out of money, which makes absolute sense.
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The other is the fear of losing our rights or liberties. It makes sense considering the rugged individualism I mentioned earlier.
Surprises vs Expectations in Fear Studies
Studies like this are fascinating because the answers rarely ever match up with what you initially think the answers will be. I expected snakes or tornadoes to be at the top of the list somewhere in Texas, but I was in for a surprise.
Apparently, we're fine with snakes. It's spiders we have a problem with.
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Gallery Credit: Billy Jenkins