Is Fear Really The Most Effective Motivator For Us? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyles

Is Fear Really The Most Effective Motivator For Us?

Exploring fear into some depth.

202
Is Fear Really The Most Effective Motivator For Us?

Is fear the most effective motivator? We all know what fear is, what it feels like to be paralyzed by something you are terrified of or the feeling of anxiety you get just by thinking of something gruesome. We see many examples of governments oppression over their citizens either through military power, another way to control a population is by using fear to shape their way of life is through the religion involved in the society. Essentially placing fear on to someone creates a threat that will make the person think twice before doing something. Exploring all of the ways this method of fear works and looking at the areas in which it fails to work.

Dictatorships in countries like North Korea and a few others around the world use their military power and cruel laws to make the citizens fearful of even thinking of committing a crime because them and their future and or past generations will be punished for their crimes too. Fear being the main way this government stays in absolute power.

Another example of this type of country is Cuba it being a communist power and having been run by the same Castro family for the past 60 years since the Cuban revolution, Cuba's communist party controls every from propaganda and radio shows that may occur on the island off the shore of Florida. People here aren't allowed to speak up against the party without facing serious consequences. The way all of these tie into the fact that fear is an effective motivator is that these leaders are unquestioned in their own perspective country and if they are the person will be punished severely. I'm not defending or saying that what the governments of these countries are doing is by no means OK. But its to prove my point of how people can exploit human nature to benefit themselves with power and wealth.

Another big way fear is projected into society is through religion or certain aspects for example if you do something bad you will receive eternal damnation for your actions that you commit during your life, well that's at least in my personal experience with the religion. In olden times the Catholic church held lots of power and authority over monarchs since church came from God, or that's what they believe.

The whole psychological side of placing fear on to someone in order for them to do your bidding is shivering in my opinion. It doesn't have to be something really bad but even something you have in your every day, for example, your parents threatening to take away your video game console or phone if you don't take out the garbage. Fear isn't necessarily a bad thing because it's a survival instinct which has been passed down for generations through our primal nature. In movies fear is usually overcome by hope, the hope for something better after you endure this frightful event and to find something better and away from what you fear. I believe fear falls apart when people have hope for a new beginning or something better especially in the countries mentioned before, and the hope for a better future is what makes us all stronger. Making us surpass fear.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

5652
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

40 Gift Ideas for the Indecisive

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

119840
Christmas gifts around a tree
StableDiffusion

It's officially December. There is less than a month of 2024, and I still feel like yesterday was summer. Now comes the merriest time of the year, the Christmas season.

Everyone has been waiting for this time of year since mid-October (which is way too early, in my opinion) or before. It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. A lot of times when I ask friends and family what they want, I get a lot of "I don't know" or "I don't care."

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Bucket List To Live In The Now

Find excitement in your life and start exploring wherever you are right here, right now.

1504
mu bucket list

I was sitting at my cubicle, now that I am an adult, looking at the rain pouring down on the windowsill, bumming on life, wishing for the rain to just stop for a full day.

There are moments where we count down the hours until work is over and how many more days till the weekend, and this many weeks until something exciting. Or something like that? Well, I was bumming because my next day off from work is not until Memorial Day weekend, which is not until the end of May. And since this is my first year out of college being a “real person,” I am totally missing the winter, spring and summer breaks. I am sure all of us have felt this way even if just for a hot minute…

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Ways To Survive Finals As Told By Leslie Knope

Because you know you're going to be stressed out, and Leslie knows exactly how to survive.

1080
Everything hurts and I'm dying

So finals are on their way. That's right everybody, finals are about to start.

But hey, don't panic. Start getting your affairs in order and prepare for a week of hell. Here's a few things Leslie Knope wants you to do to make your finals week just a little bit less stressful:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments