Definition

Noun: A persistent, abnormal, and irrational fear of or aversion to new things, experiences, or changes.

Usage

"Neophobia" is a clinical term used primarily in psychology and psychiatry to describe a specific phobia. It refers to an intense, often debilitating anxiety triggered by encountering anything novel or unfamiliar. This can apply to new foods, places, technologies, ideas, or routines.

Examples

• The child's neophobia made introducing new vegetables at mealtimes very difficult.
• His neophobia extended beyond food; he felt intense anxiety about trying new routes to work or updating his phone's software.
• In consumer psychology, product neophobia can be a significant barrier to the adoption of new innovations.

Advanced Usage

• In Psychology/Psychiatry: Classified as a specific phobia, where the fear is disproportionate and leads to avoidance behavior.
• In Animal Behavior: The term is also used in ethology to describe a natural, often survival-based, caution that animals exhibit towards novel objects or foods.
• In Consumer Studies: Used to describe the reluctance of consumers to try new products or brands.

Variants and Related Words

• Neophobic (adjective): Having or characterized by neophobia.
  • She had a neophobic reaction to the proposed office reorganization.
• Neophile (noun): A person who loves or is enthusiastic about new things (antonym).

Synonyms

• Fear of novelty
• Cautiousness towards the new (less clinical)

Antonyms

• Neophilia
• Openness to experience
• Adventurousness

Noun

1. a morbid fear of novelty