Chapman University sociologists and researchers have released the ninth annual Survey of American Fears revealing 92 terrifying trends and new insights into the nations top fears. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The second wave of the survey modified question wording such that all questions about fear use the same response categories: Very afraid, Afraid, Slightly afraid, and Not afraid. Consequently a comparison of fears between 2014 and 2015 should not be conducted without consultation with the researchers, who can explain the proper method for conducting comparisons across waves. and discover alongside remarkable faculty. American Beliefs in Conspiracy, What aren't they telling us? and policies. 50.4 percent fear for the quality of their drinking water. Editors In its third year, the annual Chapman University Survey of American Fears included more than 1,500 adult participants from across the nation and all walks of life. Interestingly, there are clear partisan differences in views on the government's handling of terrorism with Democrats being more likely to believe government has done a good job compared with either Republicans or Independents. Chapman University. Our survey indicates Americans are more likely to report a shoplifter than a terrorist.". The survey is a nationally representative sample that gives us insight into what terrifies America. On average, Americans fears lay highest in the domains of man-made disasters, such as terrorist attacks, followed by technology and then the government such as corruption and the Affordable Health Care Act. Another big predictor of fear? By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! Democrats are fond of caricaturing Republicans as fear-stricken Fox News viewers, clinging to "gunsorreligionor antipathy to people who aren't like them," in Barack Obama's famous formulation. When it comes to gender, the survey showed that men are more likely than women to hold anti-Muslim opinions. Desk: 714-289-3181 Mobile: 714-497-9683. When it comes to gender, the survey showed that men are more likely than women to hold anti-Muslim opinions. This article was published more than8 years ago. Survey shows what Americans fear most. Sheri Ledbetter Note: Content may be edited for style and length. By comparison, the next highest level of fear was more than 10 points lower at 61.6% (pollution of oceans, rivers and lakes). I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. ", Environmental Quality Ranks among Americans' Top Fears. By 2017, the top fear (corrupt government officials) was up to 74.5% and five of the top ten fears were expressed by more than half of the population. Your feedback is important to us. Beliefs in conspiracy theories were a new element to the 2016 survey and included questions asking about levels of belief in nine different popular conspiracies and conspiracy theories, such as the JFK assassination, Barack Obama's birth certificate, alien encounters, the moon landing, the 9/11 attacks, the AIDs virus and more. These are among the findings of the Chapman University Survey on American Fears, which examined American fears and anxieties across a variety of topics - personal safety, the government, disasters and more. Excellence, Graduate Research Those top three fears are connected in a kind of hand-wringing trifecta, said Christopher Bader, Ph.D., who led the team effort. "We see a degree of paranoia in the responses. Finally, there is a strong relationship between political party affiliation and anti-Muslim viewsRepublicans expressed the highest levels and Democrats the lowest, with independents in the middle. Still, its not every day that she gets to sit down with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Cerise Valenzuela Metzger Put another way, by year, the top ten fears have ranged from: 2016: 35.5% to 60.6% 2017: 9% to 74.5% 2018: 9% to 73.6% Americans are becoming more afraid. Simply put, the person with the highest number of paranormal beliefs in the United States as of 2017 will tend to be a lower income, female living in a rural area in the Western states. American Beliefs in Conspiracy. Due to the increase in domestic terror attacks, such as in Orlando and San Bernardino, as well as abroad, the researchers added specific language to explore Americans' fears related to terrorism. People with the highest levels of paranormal beliefs have the following traits: Roughly one percent of the U.S. adult population are Muslims. Now celebrating its 155th year, Chapman is known for its distinguishing strengths in leadership and civic engagement, in the arts and entertainment disciplines, and in specialized sectors of technology and science. "Overall, the survey showed two-thirds of Americans believe in something paranormal, which is an increase from last year where just half of Americans reported that," said Dr. Bader. The way Americans see it, the bogeyman is not hiding under the bed. In addition to Bader, Day and Gordon, student involvement was key in helping throughout the process. The data shows more than 40 percent of Americans believe that places can be haunted by spirits; and more than a fourth believe that the living and the dead can communicate . ", The survey also looked at the personal characteristics that are significantly associated with higher levels of paranormal belief. The survey asked respondents about 65 fears across a broad range of categories including fears . The fact that water pollution has become such a prominent fear in 2017 may be traced to the reversal of environmental policies of the Obama Administration. The noticeable increase in the top ten fears have ranged from: 2016: 35.5% to 60.6% 2017: 44.9% to 74.5% 2018: 52.9% to 73.6% 2019: 55.7% to 77.2% Americans are becoming more afraid. 4 0 obj They are also significantly more likely to fear bugs, snakes and other animals, as well as blood and needles. Computers replacing people in the workforce, 55. The Chapman Survey on American Fears This year, for the first time, the survey included a question regarding Russia using nuclear weapons. Support, The Chapman University Survey on American Fears, The Ludie & David C. Social Sciences Research Laboratory, Chapman University Survey of American Fears, Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Daniel Canogars Pareidolia Multimedia Artwork Unveiled at Chapman University. Criminologists often get angry responses when we try to tell people the crime rate has gone down.". "Further, differences between various factions across America on which group represents the greatest threat reflects the political divisions we see in America on other issues.". For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). People often fear what they cannot control, and technology and the future of our economy are two aspects of life that Americans find very unpredictable at the moment. When it comes to feelings about and treatment of Muslims, nearly half of Americans reported that they would not be comfortable with a Mosque being built in their neighborhood; one-third reported that Muslims are more likely to engage in terrorism, as well as agree that the U.S. should halt all immigration from Muslim nations. The 2016 survey shows that the top 10 things Americans fear the most are: The 2016 survey shows that the top 10 things Americans fear the most are: "The 2016 survey data shows us the top fears have shifted from last year's, which were heavily based in economic and 'big brother' type issues to include more health and financial fears this year," said Christopher Bader, Ph.D., professor of sociology at Chapman University, who led the team effort. What they learned is more than half of all Americans believe the government is concealing information about the 9/11 attacks; as well as the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Data were collected between May 5, 2016, and May 18, 2016. A comprehensive list of the all the fears from The Chapman Survey on American Fears 2016 can be found http://www.chapman.edu/fearsurvey. Aid The survey asked respondents about 65 fears across a broad range of categories including fears about the government, crime, the environment, the future, technology, health, natural disasters, as well as fears of public speaking, spiders, heights, ghosts and many other personal anxieties. Centers, Center for Chapman researchers asked about a dozen different phobias, ranging across everything from public speaking to zombies. 0000002951 00000 n While other types of extremist groups are a concern to large groups of Americans, only those two were identified by a majority of survey respondents. Most indicative is nearly one-third of respondents believed the government is concealing information about 'the North Dakota crash,' a theory we asked about that - to our knowledge - we made up," Dr. Bader continued. Another 40 percent believe the government is hiding information about extra-terrestrials and global warming; and one-third believe there are conspiracies surrounding Obama's birth certificate and the origin of the AIDs virus. By overcoming your fear of public speaking, it becomes much easier to overcome other fears that you might have. The campus has produced a Rhodes Scholar, been named a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, and hosts a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nations oldest and most prestigious honor society. something "The campaign encourages people to report situations and behavior as possible terrorist or violent acts rather than beliefs, thoughts, ideas, expressions, associations or speech unrelated to criminal activity. For additional methodological details, see the full report. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. the Science X network is one of the largest online communities for science-minded people. "Watching television talk shows with frequency proved to be strongly related to fear," Bader wrote. Media Contact: One-third agree or strongly agree with the statement, "In order to curb terrorism in this country, it will be necessary to give up some civil liberties." Chapman University Summary: The Chapman Survey on American Fears included 1,500 participants from across the nation and all walks of life. In addition to the set of fears examined in previous waves, the survey team took a closer look at two fear related phenomena: Americans' beliefs in conspiracy theories and fear of Muslims, sometimes referred to as "Islamophobia.". . 0000001326 00000 n Water pollution ranks third overall, followed closely by drinking water quality. Democrats are slightly more likely to be afraid of ghosts. The CSAF was conducted online via the SSRS Probability Panel among adults age 18 and older who participated via the web on PC, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Fear of pollution of drinking water increased from 44.6% (2020/21) to 54.5% (2022) moving it up over ten spots and placing it as the 6th greatest fear among the American public. The way Americans see it, the bogeyman is not hiding under the bed. the Science X network is one of the largest online communities for science-minded people. Chapman University. The 2017 Chapman University Survey of American Fears includes a battery of items on paranormal beliefs. "Conspiracy theorists tend to be more pessimistic about the near future, fearful of government, less trusting of other people in their lives and more likely to engage in actions due to their fears, such as purchasing a gun," added Dr. Bader. Conducted annually, it follows trends over time and identifies new fears as they emerge. Currently the most common paranormal belief in the United States is that ancient, advanced civilizations, such as Atlantis once exited with more than half of respondents (55 percent) agreeing or strongly agreeing with this statement. Without these components, the message is likely to cause fear without action," Dr. Gordon continued. On a number of questions, Democrats were more fearful than Republicans. Financial fraud (such as a Ponzi scheme, embezzlement, etc. Through the use of multimedia presentations, the seniors highlight the histories, or Herstories, a term used to, Makena Metz (DualMA English/MFA Creative Writing23) has been awarded the highest honor for graduate students at Chapman University, The James L. Doti Outstanding Graduate Student Award. Paranormal America 2016. College of Film and Media Arts, Schmid The 2016 Chapman University Survey of American Fears explored how Americans as a whole view this small subgroup. The goal of the Chapman University Survey of American Fears (CSAF) is to collect annual data on the fears, worries and concerns of Americans, the personal, behavioral and attitudinal characteristics related to those fears, and how those fears are associated with other attitudes and behaviors. 0000001932 00000 n The findings showed that despite widespread fear, the vast majority of those surveyed do not have emergency kits -- even in regions hardest hit by natural disasters. The sample of the Chapman University Survey of American Fears mirrors the demographic characteristics of the U.S. Census. On April 13, the Phyllis and Ross Escalette Permanent Collection of Art in Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences unveiled its newest artwork installation, Pareidolia, by internationally renowned After years of planning, development, design and construction, Chapman Universitys Sandi Simon Center for Dance celebrated its grand opening on March 27, 2023. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox, Phys.org 2003 - 2023 powered by Science X Network. "Survey shows what Americans fear most." "And, we are also taking a closer look at 'preppers' -- a community that takes preparedness to the extreme. and Terms of Use. The top five things Americans worry or are concerned about are: 1) Having identity stolen on the internet, 2) Corporate surveillance of internet activity, 4) Government surveillance of internet activity, "The sky is falling (and a serial killer is chasing me)".

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chapman university survey of american fears public speaking

chapman university survey of american fears public speaking