The Impact of Fear on Our Critical Thinking Skills
Fear doesn't 'manipulate' our cognitive abilities; it simply undermines them. It interferes with everything, from simple tasks like enjoying a cup of coffee to complex decisions that require thoughtful consideration. The primitive nervous system prioritizes survival over critical thinking because, for any living organism, fighting for biological survival is the highest priority.
Critical Thinking: A Recent Evolution
Critical thinking is a higher-level cognitive ability that has only recently been bestowed on the human brain, evolutionarily speaking. The frontal and prefrontal cortexes, commonly known as the forehead region, are uniquely designed for planning, decision-making, weighing pros and cons, evaluating outcomes, making judgments, and reflecting on the brain's own thought processes. The intricate neural circuitry required for critical thinking is particularly vulnerable to interference, even by mild anxiety. When stress or anxiety is present, the quality of attention, perception, and cognition can be significantly impacted.
How Fear Undermines Critical Thinking
Fear can contribute to panic within the system, and when the system is in fear, the 'fight/flight' mechanism is activated. This mechanism manipulates critical thinking skills, and the more intense the fear, the more pronounced the effect. In moments of high fear, the person is often preoccupied with survival or the urgent need to fight, flee, or freeze. As a result, critical thinking often takes a back seat to these survival responses.
The Brain’s Primary Goal: Survival
The human brain is essentially geared towards ensuring the survival of the physical body. Fear is the emotion directly related to survival, triggering the 'fight/flight/freeze' response to perceived threats. We tend to pay much more attention to what we fear than to what brings us pleasure. Consequently, critical thinking usually takes a back seat when fear is heightened.
Consequences of Fear on Decision-Making
People in fear have a far greater tendency to be easily overwhelmed, and their capacity to engage in critical thinking diminishes. When someone is in a state of heightened fear, they are primarily focused on survival, and their ability to weigh pros and cons, evaluate outcomes, and reflect on their thought processes is significantly reduced. This can lead to poor decision-making, impulsive actions, and a lack of clear thinking.
Media and Politicians’ Leveraging of Fear
It's important to note that media, whether liberal or conservative, and most politicians understand the power of fear to influence public opinion and behavior. They deliberately exploit fear to manipulate public perception and drive engagement. Fear sells, and it's much easier to get people to act on fear than it is to get them to engage in thoughtful, informed decision-making.
Learning to recognize the impact of fear on your critical thinking is crucial. Strategies to manage anxiety, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral techniques, can help improve your ability to think clearly, even in difficult situations.
Understanding the role of fear and its impact on critical thinking can empower you to approach decisions from a more thoughtful and rational perspective. By becoming more aware of these mechanisms, you can make better choices and better protect your cognitive abilities.