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UNL Researchers Explore Fear of Spiders Using Eye-Tracking Tech
Interdisciplinary team studies how people visually perceive spiders to better understand arachnophobia.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln are using advanced eye-tracking technology to study how people visually perceive spiders and what physical characteristics may contribute to arachnophobia, the fear of spiders. The interdisciplinary team is mapping participants' eye movements as they view images of spiders and other arthropods, pairing this data with surveys on phobia and attitudes. The goal is to better understand the mechanisms behind the common fear of spiders and potentially lead to more effective mental health treatments, while also improving people's relationships with these ecologically important creatures.
Why it matters
Understanding the root causes of arachnophobia could help improve mental health treatments and lead to greater appreciation and conservation of spiders, which play vital ecological roles in areas like biodiversity, pest control, and crop protection. This research takes a biological perspective on phobias rather than just a psychological one, which could be particularly useful for people like military personnel who encounter unfamiliar animals in the field.
The details
The study involved 118 undergraduate students who viewed images of spiders and other arthropods, both individually and in pairs. Researchers used an eye-tracking device to measure participants' visual attention across four metrics: dwell time, first run dwell time, first fixation time, and run count. Surprisingly, when given a choice between a spider and a spider with obvious 'spider cues' like a web, eggs, or fangs, participants tended to focus more on the spider-specific features. The exception was hairy spiders, which were avoided in favor of non-hairy spiders. The researchers theorize that the additional visual features may draw attention because they are more interesting, or that predictable spider behaviors like being in a web are less frightening than unpredictable movement. Anthropomorphism may also play a role, making certain spiders seem more human-like.
- The study was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Arachnid Science.
The players
Emma Brase
A graduate student in psychology who was the lead author on the recent publication.
Eileen Hebets
The George Holmes Professor of biological sciences and the principal investigator on the study.
Mike Dodd
A Husker psychologist who measured the participants' eye movements using an SR Research EyeLink 1000 device.
Kevin Smith
The Leland J. and Dorothy H. Olson Professor of political science and a member of the research team.
Heather Akin
An associate professor of agricultural leadership, education and communication and a member of the research team.
What they’re saying
“If I know what turns people off about arachnids, that can help me figure out how to avoid those things and focus on things that might turn people on about arachnids.”
— Eileen Hebets, George Holmes Professor of biological sciences (Nebraska Today)
“When I talk to people about their fear of spiders, one of the first things they mention is how fast they are and how unpredictably they move. It makes a lot of sense to me that people might be less afraid of a spider in a web than one on the ground, because of the predictability.”
— Eileen Hebets, George Holmes Professor of biological sciences (Nebraska Today)
“I think it's really important in a lot of different venues to understand how humans react negatively to things they might encounter in the world, and how we can prepare them or help people mitigate these experiences.”
— Eileen Hebets, George Holmes Professor of biological sciences (Nebraska Today)
What’s next
The researchers plan to continue exploring how people's visual attention and perceptions of spiders can inform more effective mental health treatments and conservation efforts.
The takeaway
This interdisciplinary study takes a unique biological approach to understanding the common fear of spiders, with the potential to not only improve mental health outcomes but also foster greater appreciation and protection of these ecologically vital creatures.
