Phobia Files
Elevators and closets are a no-go if you have this fear of enclosed spaces.
What is claustrophobia?
An almond-shaped structure that acts as the hub for detecting threats, initiating a fear response, and forming fear-related memories.
What is the Amygdala?
The classic stress hormone that rises when you get spooked.
What is Cortisol?
These three letters name rapid eye movement sleep, during which atonia, PGO waves, and heightened limbic activity help produce intense, story-like dreams.
What is REM?
The baby conditioned to fear a white rat.
Who is Little Albert (Watson & Rayner)?
The classic fear of spiders that often stars in haunted house decorations.
What is arachnophobia?
Processes fear memories by helping to contextualize the threat and is involved in modulating fear responses.
What is the Hippocampus?
Fast fight-or-flight surge from the adrenal medulla.
What is adrenaline (epinephrine)?
Nightmares most often occur in this sleep stage.
What is REM Sleep?
Kids who watched adults pummel a doll later imitated the aggression.
What is Bandura’s Bobo doll study (observational learning)?
You may scrub your hands raw with this fear of germs/contamination.
What is mysophobia?
This region, particularly the medial and ventromedial parts, helps regulate and control the fear response based on prior information and context.
What is the Prefrontal Cortex?
The bonding “cuddle” hormone that can calm you when friends are close.
What is oxytocin?
Hormone from the pineal gland that helps set circadian timing.
What is Melatonin?
1971 study where “guards” and “prisoners” spiraled out of control.
What is the Stanford Prison Experiment (Zimbardo)?
The open ocean’s vast, dark depths trigger this sea-centric fear.
What is thalassophobia?
Receives signals from the amygdala and triggers the "fight-or-flight" response by activating the sympathetic nervous system and releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
What is the Hypothalamus?
The body’s own pain-soothing system that helps you push through a spooky sprint.
What are endorphins?
Waking up unable to move with a “witch” on your chest.
What is Sleep Paralysis?
The obedience study with the “shock generator.”
What is Milgram’s obedience experiment?
This anxiety diagnosis involves fear of situations where escape might be hard—open spaces, crowds, or public transit.
What is agoraphobia?
Plays a role in generating and modulating the fear response.
What is the Insula?
A catecholamine that boosts vigilance and memory for threat—released in brain and body.
What is norepinephrine (noradrenaline)?
Awareness you’re dreaming while in the dream, sometimes with control.
What is Lucid Dreaming?
Infant monkeys clung to a soft surrogate over a wire one with food.
What is Harlow's Monkeys?