Humans are a fearful species, and evolutionary psychologists believe that this fearfulness is one of the reasons humans have survived and thrive. In primitive and prehistoric times, there was much to fear, from animals that saw humans as prey to enemy humans always ready to attack. A healthy distrust of the unknown thus kept our ancestors from being reckless and therefore ensured a passing on of their genes. .

             Today, as the dominant species, humans live in a different world with much less to fear. This is particularly true of Americans, many of whom are comfortably ensconced in a world of privilege. However, with many of the previous dangers no longer valid, Americans still find plenty to fear.

             This paper examines the peculiarities of American fear and how fears develop, as articulated by Barry Glassner in The Culture of Fear and by Joe Feagin and Eileen O'Brien in White Men on Race. This review looks at how they offer complementary explanations regarding how fear grows in a society of affluence and poverty.

             The first part of this report uses Glassner's The Culture of Fear to examine both the strange things that Americans are afraid of and the reasons behind this unwarranted fear. The next part of the paper then focuses on race-based fear, as discussed by Glassner in his chapter entitled "Black Men" and by Feagin and O'Brien in White Men on Race. It looks at the reasons behind these fears, and why such misconceptions persist despite evidence pointing to the contrary.

             In the conclusion, this paper shows that while the reasons behind race-based fears are far from valid, the effects of these fears are very real, for both the dominant classes and the minorities who are adversely affected by unwarranted social fears.

             The Culture of Fear.

             According to sociologist Barry Glassner, it is difficult to watch the news without developing a sense of fear. Broadcasters are very good in raising concerns regarding non-issues like mothers who go crazy and kill their children, "babies having babies" or the growing violence in schools.