About The National Fear Survey

To celebrate National Science Week (August 18-26) Australians are being asked to take part in the National Fear Survey.

The survey looks at what we are afraid of and how extensively fear and anxiety affects us. It is a self-evaluative survey that looks at the science behind fear and finds out what Australians fear the most.

The test has been designed not as a real diagnostic test of anxieties and phobias – more a fun way to find out what makes us fearful. The main purpose of the test is to:

• engage people with science through a survey and supporting information that looks at fears and anxieties we share, and those that are unique to individuals
• provide background information on how fear works in the brain as well as teachers notes and demonstrations
• look at fear in the world today – with increases in terrorism and the spectre of global warming, are our fears justified?
• Rate specific fears and evaluate them based on personal information and breakdown of survey statistics (results released after Science Week)

We have chosen not to include certain topics in the survey, in particular direct human violence. We have also included information and resources about fear to ensure this National Project is a safe and supportive environment for participants.

The National Fear Survey was developed by the ABC in conjunction with the Department of Education Science and Training.

Developed and written by: Heather Catchpole
Design by: Michelle French
Programmed by: Egon Votrubec