What makes people so afraid of sharks? "Jaws," some scientists say

Scientists in California are researching what makes people so scared of sharks. They believe the 1975 movie "Jaws" caused a generation of people to develop galeophobia — an irrational fear of sharks.

Psychologist Gabriella Hancock, who is working with the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, said people aren't born being afraid of sharks.

"We're not innately afraid of sharks," Hancock said. "Five-month-old babies were not afraid of sharks. So it appears as though our fear of them is learned and socially reinforced."