Center for Teaching Excellence September 26 2017 Bob Van Oosterhout MA LLP LMSW Bringtruthtofearorg Bringtruthtofeargmailcom Fear based thinking is a mental habit that persists when there is no immediate threat ID: 644281
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Slide1
Recognizing and Responding to Fear-Based Thinking
Center for Teaching Excellence
September 26, 2017
Bob Van Oosterhout MA, LLP, LMSW
Bringtruthtofear.org
Bringtruthtofear@gmail.comSlide2
Fear based thinking is a mental habit that persists when there is no immediate threat
It narrows our focus, restricts learning, blocks compassion and creativity and makes us more self-centered, impatient, and judgmental
It seeks quick, simplistic solutions without understanding the nature of a problem or its full implications
It creates emotionally based adversarial opinions that are rigidly held and immune to logic Slide3
Three Kinds of Fear
Natural Fear
Gets our attention, energizes us for action
Lasts only as long as we focus on a threat
Mental Fear
Same effects as natural fear
Lasts as long as we think about it
Can keep us stuck in crisis mode & limit capacity for clear thinking
Structural Fear
Build up of muscle tension in reaction to fear & trauma
Stress increases tension and reactivity
Can be gradually resolved when Balance is maintainedSlide4
Fear puts us in Crisis Mode
Everything not essential for survival shuts down in crisis mode
Narrow focus - don’t ask questions or seek to understand large picture or relevant details
Mind is pulled to what worked
before
A
ccept simplistic solutions without analysis
The unknown is seen as a potential threat
Either/Or Right/Wrong Good/Evil For/Against
Seek power over perceived threats
The
end justifies the
means
Willing to give power to strong leader who claims to keep us safe Slide5
Your Brain is Forming – Road Analogy
Thoughts and memories form pathways in our brain (connections between neurons) that are like roads
Repeating a thought or experience reinforces the pathway
At any given moment, we are either creating new roads (pathways) or reinforcing old ones
Fear “paves” the “road” and creates easy access
Repeating similar thought patterns turns a “road” into a “highway” and eventually an “expressway” with limited exits & entrances
because we don’t create or access other pathways
.
Over time, Fear-Based Thinking closes our minds to input and learning and the “expressway” turns into “railroad tracks” which stops us from asking questions, limits our capacity to see and think clearly, and defines our view of realitySlide6
Fear-Based Thinking Leads To
Certainty
Fixed Attitudes
Rigidity
Closed Mind & Heart
Distrust
of
unknown
Ignoring history, context, & implications
Shallow
thinkingShort-Term ThinkingDefensivenessEmotional Reactivity and/or NumbnessImpatience
Intolerance
Divisiveness
Need
for
Control
Over Caution
Inability to view from other
perspectives
Self-Centeredness
Self-righteousness
Tendency to quickly and harshly judge others
Making
quick assumptions
Isolation
ExclusionSlide7
Fear Based Thinking Restricts
Seeing the large picture and relevant details
Decision-Making
Empathy
Planning
Problem Solving
Reflection
Creativity
Cooperation
Asking for advice or helpSlide8
Fear–Based Thinking Affects
Politics
Media
Business
Education
Leadership
Management
Relationships
Social Interaction
Community InvolvementSlide9
Fear-Based Thinking is a Highly Effective Political and Media Tactic
It draws and keeps our attention
We don’t ask questions or seek information to understand complicated issues
It generates
support
for simplistic
solutions that don’t address complex
problems
It forms opinions based on emotion that are immune to logical argument
It paints the
opposition as dangerous and solidifies ongoing supportIt leads voters to seek leaders who appear strong without questioning their qualifications or whether they have our best interests at
heartSlide10
Sources of Fear-Based Thinking
Media, Entertainment, Popular Culture
Political Propaganda
Stress and
exhaustion
Cultural Messages
Trauma
HabitSlide11
Recognizing Fear-Based Thinking
Propose solutions without fully understanding problems & concerns & implications
Certainty
, Rigidity,
Fixed Opinions &
Attitudes
Solutions are “the only choice
”
Disregard other
perspectives
Suspicious of UnknownFocus on Risk and DangerSense of immediacy for long-term concerns
Exclusive &
Isolated
Impatience, Intolerance
Self-centered, Self-righteous
Fear
inducing words & images that don’t provide relevant new information
Put
People/Ideas in Broad
Dead-end Categories
Either/Or Right/Wrong For/Against
Seek
power & control over perceived threats
Attack, diversion or dismissal when
questioned
Blame,
Put-downs, Harsh Judgment
Restrict or limit inputSlide12
Transform
Fear
into Caution and Concern
Balance – Stop Buildup of Tension
Natural Rhythmic Breathing, Thought Re-Focusing Grounding, Meditation
(videos at
www.bobvanoosterhout.com
)
Accept – Remove Obstacles
Acknowledge situation without blame, judgment or “should”
Recognize that there is a problem and focus on understanding it
Recognizing the essential dignity of each person
Realize their current views and beliefs make perfect sense to them based on their history and experience
Clarify – Ask Questions
Understand Problems, Concerns, Contributing Factors?
History, Implications, Related Issues, Other
Perspectives
Likely effects on all
involved