"When people replace the monster myth with ecological truth, they see sharks not as threats, but as marvels. Cultural narratives about sharks stands in the way of conservationfear drives policymyth drives management. Knowledge dissolves fear, compassion replaces misunderstanding, and empathy leads to protection. Sharks are fascinating animals with a range of personalities. They suffer from numerous misleading stereotypes and myths and instill fear in many people who so much as think about them.1 However, shark attacks on people are actually rare.2"
"My fascination with sharks began with fearpure, cinematic fear. I was a young girl sitting in a dark movie theater when Jaws first exploded onto the screen. That movie didn't just scare me; it rewired my imagination. For months, I was convinced a shark could appear anywherebeneath the kitchen table, under my bed. When I tried out for the swim team, I swam as fast as I could to escape imaginary sharks coming out of the drain."
Shark myths and cultural narratives portray sharks as monsters and create fear that hinders conservation and shapes policy and management. Knowledge about sharks dissolves fear, fosters compassion, and encourages empathy-driven protection. Sharks display diverse behaviors and personalities yet face widespread misleading stereotypes despite the rarity of attacks on people. Personal fear can transform into scientific fascination and career dedication, as early cinematic fear motivated long-term research and leadership in shark science and conservation. Current research spans sensory systems and physiology, including hammerhead adaptations, behavior, and applied conservation, all aimed at understanding shark roles within ecosystems and informing protective measures.
Read at www.psychologytoday.com
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