I have been always surprised how I can't predict my reaction. I always thought that in case of danger I would be extremely nervous, but I have been very surprised that both times I was in serious danger (one strong earthquake and one armed robbery), I reacted in absolute calm.
How about you?
2007-08-30 22:27:22 · 9 answers · asked by Flyinghorse 6 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Sometimes the "calmness" in which I react to danger surprises even me. Like you, Flyinghorse, I've been in a major earthquake. I've been in smaller ones, but this one was BIG and SCARY...a 6.8 (might have been a 7)....and as it went on, it seemed to get stronger and stronger. I'd never been in an earthquake that big, before or since. (And I hope I never am again!) It felt like my house was coming down. Unlucky as I can be sometimes, I just so happened to be stepping into the shower when it began. I was naked as the day I was born! LOL! (Actually, it wasn't nearly as funny then as it is now...) As objects were falling down off shelves and the whole house felt like it was about to collapse, I calmly (and quickly!) debated whether or not I had time to grab a blanket to cover myself with before I headed for the door. I grabbed the blanket. Good thing, too, as it turned out...because as soon as I got my front door opened, the quake stopped, and all my neighbors were gathering outside within view of my front door. LOL!
Another time I was faced with even greater danger...I was assaulted by a man who's intent was to rape me (and in my mind I wondered if that wasn't all). I was able to escape the situation relatively unharmed because I became completely calm and figured out a way to mess with him psychologically, and he let me go. Considering he had begun by threatening me with a knife, and had already torn off my clothes from the lower part of my body, getting him to stop in the middle of all of that is a pretty amazing feat, I think. I'm certain that if I had panicked, or fought back, I would not have been able to accomplish what I did and get away unhurt.
It's funny what happens when a person is faced with a primitive fight or flight situation. I think most people resort to either one or the other almost immediately...some can stay calm, some cannot. The ability to stay calm helps a person to think rationally, giving them an edge to survival. I'm certainly glad I'm one who stays calm. As in the story of the attempted rape, I know it saved my life.
Interesting question!
2007-08-30 22:46:32 · answer #1 · answered by It's Ms. Fusion if you're Nasty! 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Calmness. Also a clearheaded thought processes that can't be my own under normal conditions. When an emergency called for aggressive behavior, there was always a thought that I was someone who was guaranteed to be invincible, just raw energy that would always win. Failure and panic have never crossed my mind at all in those situations. However, if a movie is kinda creepy I can get nervous for the main character, hahaha. The other thing that almost makes me panic is if I'm in charge of something that's being reviewed or critiqued and I'm on the side waiting for the opinion. Strange huh?
2007-08-31 05:41:19 · answer #2 · answered by POINT619 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the circumstances if the danger is to me I can be very cool, calm and collected. When there is a perceived danger to a loved one my fight instinct sets in. When I was ten years old someone much bigger than my Dad, he's only 5'5" suckered punched my Dad I don't even remember how it happened but the next thing I knew the guy was lying on the ground where I had shoved him and my Dad had bloody nose. When my boys were in there late teens there was a ruckus in our neighborhood and I thought someone was chasing my boys. I ran out of my house in my bare feet in the snow and chased the guys down. Turns out is wasn't my boys they were after. All the bystanders told me that I was crazy I could have been killed. Oh well
2007-08-31 11:09:49 · answer #3 · answered by judy b 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hans Selye says that danger sets off a fight or flight response to stress brought about by the situation. What you describe as calm and in control is a conscious choice.
This response gives you extra time to explore rational choices that might save your life. Too bad more people don't have control like yours.
2007-08-31 05:46:49 · answer #4 · answered by wpepper 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
honestly i don't really know how i would react but depending on the situation if i was in an armed robery i guess i would be nervous but i wouldn't try to show it and if i was in a natural disaster i like an earth quake i would probably cry (phobia of natural disasters) but then again you never know until it happens
2007-08-31 05:48:42 · answer #5 · answered by candy monster 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very commendable - what you did. Just the right way to tackle dangerous situations.
2007-08-31 05:42:09 · answer #6 · answered by Sam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I get calm, and my head becomes clear, kind of like I already know what to do. Adreneline kicks in and takes over.
2007-08-31 05:39:09 · answer #7 · answered by armyparalegal 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Almost a surreal calm...until afterwards. Then the adrenaline shoots through me and I am a wreck.
2007-08-31 05:35:01 · answer #8 · answered by 8of2kinds 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its peculiar but i become brave and bold,i mean the only real dangers i face in my life are from my neurotic mind but when it comes to concrete reality i deal with it relatively efficiently
2007-08-31 10:32:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋