The Courage Quotient: How Science Can Make You Braver
Book Details
Author(s)Robert Biswas-Diener
PublisherJossey-Bass
ISBN / ASIN0470917423
ISBN-139780470917428
AvailabilityUsually ships in 24 hours
Sales Rank1,010,140
CategoryPsychology
MarketplaceUnited States 🇺🇸
Description
Two courage lists from Robert Biswas-Diener, author of The Courage Quotient
Robert Biswas-DienerWho has courage? A list of groups who have courage:
- Women
Although bravery is, stereotypically, a masculine trait, women also show a wide variety of courage. Women have high rates of live organ donation, overseas volunteerism, and challenging advocacy roles. - Executives
In one study executives had lower rates of fear and a higher willingness to act than did police officers, fire fighters and other emergency personnel. - People living near the Equator
In an international survey people living near the Equator in countries such as Nigeria and Brazil had higher average rates of bravery than did their counterparts in Europe and North America. - Whistle blowers
It is risky to speak out against an injustice, especially when there might be negative personal consequences. One study reveals that people who will not participate in immorality are higher on empathy, higher on moral reasoning, and able to evaluate whether actions make sense in a given context. - Everyone
Although people normally think about dramatic acts of heroism when thinking about courage each of us has personal history of overcoming fear and anxiety. If you have ever gotten married, taken a new job, moved to a new city or had a child you have experienced an act of bravery.
- Appreciation
When most people begin the process of self-improvement-whether that is trying to become happier or more courageous-they think about what they could do differently. This rush for "better" can sometimes cause folks to overlook the current successes in their lives. I recommend taking stock of the times you have already acted bravely: speaking p on the behalf of someone else, moving to a new job, getting married or having children, or overcoming a personal fear such as flying. - Manage your fear.
This is, seemingly, the most straightforward piece of advice related to courage. If fear holds you back then managing that fear opens up the potential for moving forward. Fear comes in different types and each is associated with a different solution. Fear of failure, for example, can be counterbalanced by taking stock of progress. The antidote to fear of rejection is to shift the focus from the self toward the situation. Breathing and relaxation techniques can also be effective. - Get angry.
Many people avoid the emotion of anger because they feel it is destructive, and it certainly can be. Anger is also an emotion that helps us protect ourselves or those we care about when our rights are being threatened. One study shows that people in an angry mood were more optimistic about the outcomes of a risk. In essence, they were more courageous. Perhaps you have seen athletes similarly "psych themselves up" for a competition by getting angry. - Get a lucky charm.
People have a natural tendency to think magically; to believe in superstitions or luck or other phenomena that are not proven. You can leverage this natural tendency to your advantage where courage is concerned by adopting a personally meaningful lucky charm. One stuck showed that people who had a lucky charm outperformed others on memory and golf tasks! Interviews with courageous people yield the truth that many employ such a charm to boost their confidence in anxious situations. - Embrace failure.
Most people do not like failure because it stings, psychologically speaking. People naturally avoid failure and folks with a perfectionist leaning find it especially abhorrent. Mistakes and failure can be beneficial in that they make us more mindful, help us learn, offer us a chance to reflect, and make us appear more authentic to others. Instead of letting a fear of mistakes hold you back try embracing them. Small mistakes and low stakes failure are a part of life.
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