From Jaws to The Meg, many of the most popular thrillers in Hollywood history feature violent shark attacks.
While these films are perfect for movie night, scientists say they create “excessive fear” of sharks in the real world.
In a new study, scientists from the University of South Australia analyzed 683 ‘creature feature’ films.
Their analysis found that sharks top the list as the most common animal depicted in films – with the vast majority portraying them in a negative light.
“Movies like ‘Jaws’, ‘The Meg’ or ‘The Shallows’ depict sharks as purposefully hunting and attacking people, which not only creates excessive fear but also reinforces the negative views people already have,” says Dr. Brianna Le Busque, head of film. author of the study.
From Jaws to The Meg, many of the most popular thrillers in Hollywood history feature violent shark attacks. While these movies are perfect for movie night, scientists say they create ‘excessive fear’ of sharks in the real world
In a new study, scientists from the University of South Australia analyzed 683 ‘creature feature’ films. In the photo: deep blue sea
According to the Florida MuseumThere were only 57 confirmed cases of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide in 2022, nine of which were fatal.
Despite this, the fear of sharks – also known as galeophobia – is one of the most common phobias in the world.
“When we hear about ‘shark attacks’ it certainly puts people on edge,” said Dr Le Busque.
“Since most people don’t have personal interactions with sharks, most of what we know about sharks comes from what we see on TV or in movies.”
In their study, the researchers wanted to understand how overrepresented sharks are in ‘creature features’ – films in which animals are the villains.
The team analyzed a total of 683 films and found that almost a fifth (19.5 percent) featured a shark.
This was followed by insects and arachnids (18.7 percent), dinosaurs (11.5 percent), snakes (7.7 percent) and crocodilians (5.7 percent).
‘Sharks often appear in ‘creature feature’ films. They are overrepresented and are the most common animal in this film category,” says Dr. Le Busque.
The team analyzed a total of 683 films and found that almost a fifth (19.5 percent) featured a shark. In the photo: the shallow waters
The researchers say this overrepresentation – called The Jaws Effect – is fueling fear of sharks. Pictured: 2021 hit, Bait
“Additionally, 96% of all films depicting sharks (across genres) overtly portrayed interactions between sharks and humans as threatening.”
The researchers say this overrepresentation fuels fear of sharks.
“This is now called ‘The Jaws Effect’ – a well-known phenomenon where people have an excessive and irrational fear of sharks – almost fifty years after the first ‘Jaws’ movie,” Dr Le Busque added.
In addition to the fear of the sharks themselves, the researchers say shark movies also tap into another common fear.
In the study, the researchers analyzed how the portrayal of animals in films has changed over the years
In their study, published in the Journal of Environmental Media, the researchers wrote: ‘Shark films also play on another common fear that people harbor: the fear of open water, known as thalassophobia.
“Given that the purpose of feature films is to entertain audiences through fear, it is more effective to tap into two fears at the same time.”
Beyond creating an outsized fear of sharks, researchers say the Jaws effect has more far-reaching consequences.
“It influences people’s perception of sharks, influences conservation efforts and influences policy decisions,” concluded Dr. Le Busque.