DOI: 10.7256/2306-0425.2013.8.10610

Abstract: The author of the article analyzes the phenomenon of the fear of death. She provides literature data about the existence of such smell in the world of insects, animals and humans. She describes researches that define that people tend to associate fear with the acid fragrance while dogs demonstrate a negative response including fear to acid fragrances. The article describes the results of research when the influence of the vinegar acid on the behavior of red ants was studied. The results show rapid changes of the ants' behavior in the area where the fragrance was active. The ants demonstrated hyper activity or tried to avoid the area and both of these actions were the signs of fear. The author offers the interpretation of this phenomenon in terms of evolution. Reaction of fear to the acid fragrance is thought to be instinctive. Inseñts demonstrate the maximum expression of this reaction, mammals start to react like that less because of the influence of individual experience and humans may not always demonstrate such a reaction clearly. However, the author states that in stress situations reaction of fear to the acid fragrance can be actualized.