1. Recognizing and Responding to Fear-Based Thinking
Center for Teaching Excellence
September 26, 2017
Bob Van Oosterhout MA, LLP, LMSW
Bringtruthtofear.org

2. 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

3. Three Kinds of Fear Natural Fear Mental Fear Structural 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 maintained

4. 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
Accept 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

5. 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 reality

6. Fear-Based Thinking Leads To
Certainty
Fixed Attitudes
Rigidity
Closed Mind & Heart
Distrust of unknown
Ignoring history, context, & implications
Shallow thinking
Short-Term Thinking
Defensiveness
Emotional Reactivity and/or Numbness
Impatience
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
Exclusion

7. Fear Based Thinking Restricts
Seeing the large picture and relevant details
Decision-Making
Empathy
Planning
Problem Solving
Reflection
Creativity
Cooperation
Asking for advice or help

8. Fear–Based Thinking Affects
Politics
Media
Business
Education
Leadership
Management
Relationships
Social Interaction
Community Involvement

9. 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 support
It leads voters to seek leaders who appear strong without questioning their qualifications or whether they have our best interests at heart

10. Sources of Fear-Based Thinking
Media, Entertainment, Popular Culture
Political Propaganda
Stress and exhaustion
Cultural Messages
Trauma
Habit

11. 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 Unknown
Focus on Risk and Danger
Sense 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 input

12. Transform Fear into Caution and Concern
Balance – Stop Buildup of Tension
Natural Rhythmic Breathing, Thought Re-Focusing Grounding, Meditation (videos at
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