REFLECTIVE SELF-OBSERVATION PAPER

Reflective Self-Observation Paper



Reflective Self-Observation Paper

IntroductionFear is an emotion and also a survival instinct commonly felt in the presence or the prospect of a threat. Fear is a survival mechanism in response to a primary, specific stimulus, such as pain or danger (Gervaise 2011). According to the Cannon-Bard theory, fear results from the perception of the stimulus, and only then there is a behavioral response. In short, fear is the ability to recognize danger. In this paper, I would present reflections of my personal observation of fear. I believe that I have mastered the art of overcoming fears of death and the dark. In this paper, I have sought help from various cognitive theories to base my recommendations for overcoming fear.

How fear is Cognitive: Learning from Piaget Theory

Piaget proposed three models of development: sensor motor thought, the concrete operations and formal operations. As per Piaget's view, a child can only develop his cognitive abilities to highest levels, if he or she is able to experience the world and environment in which he or she is living. The four stages of cognitive development in a child, as stated by Piaget's theory of cognitive development chart are sensor motor, pre-operational, concrete operational and formal operational stages. According to Piaget's theory that child belong to pre-operational stage. The pre-operational stage is marked by what Piaget described like a qualitatively new psychological functioning. According to Piaget, children at this stage create complex pretend worlds and include everyone and everything around them in their fantasy. Hence, fear is congnitive in nature. The same was observed with me. Between the ages of two and seven, I was limited by egocentrism and animism, and demonstrate an inability to see the world from a perspective other than my own.The Fear of DeathAmong the most common of human fears is the fear of death. By definition, death is the ultimate object of fear, even as the embodiment of the threat. Yet this fear is far from universal. Although religious beliefs and experiences with life tell us that death is inevitable, many people do not have the courage to accept this reality (Strongman 1996).Very often the fear of death is not understood by us. It can manifest in many different things. For example, a man afraid to cross the road to ride the subway or in an elevator resembles his fear of death (Brainerd 1997). Some people are ready to run on the eleventh floor using the ladder. However, they certainly cannot go into the elevator, or in any enclosed space.The phobia of death appears natural when fear becomes irrational. People with this phobia are often overly hypochondriacal and sometimes also suffer from necrofobia, which makes them unable to accept any idea, object or place associated with the dead. This extreme fear, which can cause anxiety attack or haunt the person to the point of falling into depression, might need treatment and support needed to overcome it.Overcoming Fear of DeathThe exaggerated fear of death can cause anxiety ...