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The Infested Mind

Why humans fear, loathe, and love insects

Sex
From the Bedroom to the Dining Room

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on November 14, 2018

People have different views of what is acceptable under the sheets and on the plate. And judgements get even messier with insects in the mix.

People have different views of what is acceptable under the sheets and on the plate. And judgements get even messier with insects in the mix.

Fantasies
When Insects Crawl into Our Fantasies

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on August 17, 2018

Fiction provides a compelling approach to explore the infested mind—and to raise challenging questions about normalcy and mental health in a safe, literary environment.

Fiction provides a compelling approach to explore the infested mind—and to raise challenging questions about normalcy and mental health in a safe, literary environment.

Empathy
The Social Peril (and Promise) of Entomophobia

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on May 17, 2018

People are dehumanized by equating them with insects--dangerous, repulsively alien life forms. But these creatures might also teach us to tolerate differences among one another.

People are dehumanized by equating them with insects--dangerous, repulsively alien life forms. But these creatures might also teach us to tolerate differences among one another.

Fear
Them! And Us

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on February 13, 2018

Where did we learn to be frightened by hockey masks and chainsaws? The movies, of course. And films have promoted a fear of insects, from giant ants to brain-boring antlions.

Where did we learn to be frightened by hockey masks and chainsaws? The movies, of course. And films have promoted a fear of insects, from giant ants to brain-boring antlions.

Fear
Our Entomophobic Culture

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on November 17, 2017

The playfulness of the Itsy Bitsy Spider can’t compete with the image of a frightened Little Miss Muffet. Nursery rhymes and adult stories tell us that insects are terrifying.

The playfulness of the Itsy Bitsy Spider can’t compete with the image of a frightened Little Miss Muffet. Nursery rhymes and adult stories tell us that insects are terrifying.

Fear
Fated to Fear

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on August 17, 2017

Is there evidence that our fear of insects is rooted in evolution? Studies of human genetics and results of controlled experiments support the inheritance of the infested mind.

Is there evidence that our fear of insects is rooted in evolution? Studies of human genetics and results of controlled experiments support the inheritance of the infested mind.

Fear
Survival of the Scaredest

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on May 19, 2017

Why are we more afraid of insects than guns? Our emotions and perceptions are evolutionary products, and we can blame genetics for our infested minds.

Why are we more afraid of insects than guns? Our emotions and perceptions are evolutionary products, and we can blame genetics for our infested minds.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Extermination of Pests—and Horror

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on November 17, 2016

Who you gonna call? When your house (or mind) is crawling with insects might be time to call in a professional. But why isn’t the pest control operator as creeped out as you?

Who you gonna call? When your house (or mind) is crawling with insects might be time to call in a professional. But why isn’t the pest control operator as creeped out as you?

Fear
Don’t Bee Afraid

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on August 26, 2016

Not only are bee stings painful, but they can be deadly—and we all know this! So why would a beekeeper wear shorts and work without a veil?

Not only are bee stings painful, but they can be deadly—and we all know this! So why would a beekeeper wear shorts and work without a veil?

Evolutionary Psychology
The Making of Disgust

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on June 2, 2016

Disgust appears to be unique to humans. How did our species develop this emotion—and why are we the only creatures repulsed by cockroaches and maggots?

Disgust appears to be unique to humans. How did our species develop this emotion—and why are we the only creatures repulsed by cockroaches and maggots?

Fear
What Am I Feeling?

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on March 8, 2016

When we are discomforted by insects or spiders, what are we really feeling? Is it disgust, fear, contempt, abhorrence—and can love conquer all?

When we are discomforted by insects or spiders, what are we really feeling? Is it disgust, fear, contempt, abhorrence—and can love conquer all?

Fear
Fear + Disgust = Entomological Horror

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on December 14, 2015

We are scared of heights and repulsed by feces, so why is it so hard to identify our response to insects? Could there be a third state of mind transcending these two emotions?

We are scared of heights and repulsed by feces, so why is it so hard to identify our response to insects? Could there be a third state of mind transcending these two emotions?

Sex
Having a Crush on Insects

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on September 18, 2015

You’ve probably heard about people who have a sexual fetish for shoes, leather, or red hair. But what if a person is aroused by the crushing of a living being? Might there be an argument that the pleasure derived in this way is has fewer moral problems than the sensual satisfaction of eating meat?

You’ve probably heard about people who have a sexual fetish for shoes, leather, or red hair. But what if a person is aroused by the crushing of a living being? Might there be an argument that the pleasure derived in this way is has fewer moral problems than the sensual satisfaction of eating meat?

Fear
Paraphilia: Insects as Sources of Sexual Arousal

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on June 29, 2015

For many people, insects evoke a sense of fear or disgust—not lust. So how and why do some people use these creatures with sexual excitement? The answer lies in the ways in which our bodies respond to lions, cockroaches and foreplay, along with the capacity of the human mind to interpret physiological states in rather remarkable and creative ways.

For many people, insects evoke a sense of fear or disgust—not lust. So how and why do some people use these creatures with sexual excitement? The answer lies in the ways in which our bodies respond to lions, cockroaches and foreplay, along with the capacity of the human mind to interpret physiological states in rather remarkable and creative ways.

Fear
The Infestation Begins: Terror on the Prairie

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on March 25, 2015

What if a doctor fainted at the sight of blood, an actor trembled when facing an audience, or an entomologist panicked amidst a swarm of insects? Professionals might have access to certain knowledge and skills, but experts are humans. So what does a scientist do when he loses his nerve and can no longer sustain a safe, psychological distance from the object of his study?

What if a doctor fainted at the sight of blood, an actor trembled when facing an audience, or an entomologist panicked amidst a swarm of insects? Professionals might have access to certain knowledge and skills, but experts are humans. So what does a scientist do when he loses his nerve and can no longer sustain a safe, psychological distance from the object of his study?

Mating
Sublime Terror

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on January 7, 2015

The same people who are afraid of stinging insects and disgusted by rotting meat, are tempted to approach a swarm of bees and poke at maggot-riddled road kill. What’s going on with this paradoxical repulsion and attraction? The psychological phenomenon of the sublime has been explored for centuries, and it’s still something of a mystery.

The same people who are afraid of stinging insects and disgusted by rotting meat, are tempted to approach a swarm of bees and poke at maggot-riddled road kill. What’s going on with this paradoxical repulsion and attraction? The psychological phenomenon of the sublime has been explored for centuries, and it’s still something of a mystery.

Anxiety
Scientist, Heal Thyself

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on October 13, 2014

You might think that scientists, being the epitome of rationality, would be resistant to devastatingly false beliefs. However, two infamous cases involving delusionary parasitosis belie our expectations. It turns out that scientists are just like the rest of us, able to develop infested bodies—and minds.

You might think that scientists, being the epitome of rationality, would be resistant to devastatingly false beliefs. However, two infamous cases involving delusionary parasitosis belie our expectations. It turns out that scientists are just like the rest of us, able to develop infested bodies—and minds.

Spirituality
Delusional Infestations and Real Suffering

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on July 11, 2014

What if you believed, really believed, that you were infested with insects? After days of incessantly feeling them crawling under your skin, would it be so irrational to use a razor blade to get to them—just a shallow cut at first? Imagine how far you might go to rid yourself of these invaders…

What if you believed, really believed, that you were infested with insects? After days of incessantly feeling them crawling under your skin, would it be so irrational to use a razor blade to get to them—just a shallow cut at first? Imagine how far you might go to rid yourself of these invaders…

American dog tick
Career
Imaginary Insects and Real Problems

Jeffrey Lockwood Ph.D. on April 7, 2014

Imagine… your carpet is infested with fleas, your scalp is crawling with lice, or bed bugs are creeping across your body. Do you feel itchy, even a little bit?

Imagine… your carpet is infested with fleas, your scalp is crawling with lice, or bed bugs are creeping across your body. Do you feel itchy, even a little bit?