An Analysis of Likability of Insects in Korea

To investigate the degree of individuals’ likability of insects, a survey was conducted withstudents and adults living in Korea. Overall, for insect-related questions, positive responseswere higher than negative ones. Among the positive responses, the personal rearing ofinsects scored lower than others. The unconditional dislike of insects scored highest in thenegative responses. A significant differences and correlations were found between malesand females, students and adults, people experienced in insect-related events and those whowere not. In particular, previous experience in insect-related events significantly influencedinsect likability. Subjects preferred coleopteran and lepidopteran insects to others. However,this preference of insects differed by gender: Male participants preferred coleopteran insectsto lepidopteran insects, while female participants preferred lepidopteran insects to coleopteranones. No significant differences in the preference of insects were found by participants’ job,residence, or experience in insect-related events. These findings suggest that gender is themost important factor to consider in selecting insects to be used as therapeutic tools in mentalhealth care. KCI Citation Count: 2