Some Crocodile Dundee Aftereffects in Northern Australia

Abstract

An anxiety scale and a knowledge about saltwater crocodiles scale were administered to 135 adults in the northern Australian cities of Darwin and Cairns so as to gauge their responses to and knowledge about an increasingly salient local predator. High levels of knowledge accompanied higher anxiety. Anxiety was more likely to be admitted by women and was associated with a positive attitude toward culling. No Australian regional differences were observed. The theoretical and practical implications of these results for the safety of northern Australian residents and tourists are discussed.