Content area
Abstract
Introduction: It has been suggested that fear can be acquired by means of a verbal information pathway (e.g. Rachman, 1977, 1990: Field, 2006a). The main theme of the present thesis is that in the process of transmitting and acquiring fear information the key constituents of Darwin's algorithm (i.e. inheritance, variation and selection = evolution; Dennett, 1996) are likely to be instantiated. Universal Darwinism suggests that all evolutionary processes, including that described above, must be replicator-based (e.g. gene-based, in the biological domain). In the cultural domain the ineme (Dawkins, 1976) is currently the best known replicator. It is believed that the meme's success at high fidelity copying rests on two almost uniquely human faculties; language and imitation (Blackmore, 1999). Both of the above are further thought to rely on advanced metacognitive abilities (theory of mind; intentional stance) involving making inferences about the goal states of others (Dennett, 1987; Horowitz, 2003). Method: Using previous research (Muris et al., 1996; Heath et al., 2001) as a framework for replication and extension, a cross-sectional questionnaire based research design was employed to test both existing and meme-based models of the fear information pathway. Results: The findings were mixed, with some support for both the conventional and meme-based approaches to anxiety acquisition. Key findings included qualified support for the linear association suggested by Muris et al. (1996) between parental expression of fear/anxiety and the anxiety levels (trait and state) of offspring. In addition, as hypothesized, meme selection criteria (Chielens & Heylighen, 2005) was found to be a significant predictor of horizontal meme propagation (Heath et al., 2001). Discussion: These results were discussed with respect to the theoretical limitations of the meme model, and the methodological shortcomings of the study, especially with respect to its power and design. Suggestions for future research and the clinical implications of taking a memetic approach to human psychopathology were also examined.
