Fear triggers a biological response, of which there are three
freeze
flight
fight
When we perceive a threat, the brain sends signals to the autonomic nervous system, triggering the release of the hormone ‘adrenalin’. The result is an accelerated heart rate, faster breathing, dilated pupils and so on. This enables the body to react quickly to protect itself.
Phobias
Phobias are irrational, excessive fears of specific objects, situations or animals. This can lead to panic attacks. The origin may lie in certain experiences or in genetics. Psychology studies how they can affect psychological structure, and what therapies (e.g. cognitive-behavioural therapy) help.
Anxiety disorders
The most common is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The person is constantly and excessively preoccupied with events that are often unimportant.
The role of fear in human evolution
It contributes to the survival of the species. Over the course of evolution, individuals able to perceive and respond effectively to threats were more likely to survive and pass on their genes to subsequent generations. Fear is an adaptive response that has contributed to the preservation of human life.
But today’s threats are often more complex and abstract, leading to inappropriate responses. The psychology of fear studies this.
Cultural expression of fear in France
Here are some key aspects of the cultural expression of fear in France:
Fear-related idiomas
There are expressions like:
avoir peur comme un poulet This means that a person reacts with intense fear, sometimes comically or exaggeratedly, to benign stimuli.
faire froid dans le dos When something or some situation arouses a strong negative emotion (fear, horror, anxiety, disgust).
These expressions can be used every day. Fear is part of everyday language.
Literature and cinema as mirrors of society’s fears
In literature, classic writers such as
Victor Hugo in Les misérables
Gustave Flaubert in Madame Bovary
tackle themes of fear linked to poverty, social marginalization and loneliness.
In cinema, films such as
Henri-Georges Clouzot’s Les diaboliques
Georges Franju’s Les yeux sans visage
explore the darker aspects of fear.
Collective memory and fear arising from historical events
Revolutions, wars and periods of unrest have left their mark on the collective unconscious of people down the centuries. The French Revolution, for example, is a landmark event.
The 1st and 2nd World Wars engendered deep-seated fears of loss, destruction and occupation.
Expressions for fear Il n’y a pas de raison d’avoir peur car il n’y a pas de danger Craindre pour sa vie
A old famous expression for fear N’ayez crainte
Fear in French linguistics and communication
What are the fear-related words?
What’s the social side of fear in France?
Vocabulary of fear
Here are some well-known words and expressions related to fear:
Etre apeuré(e): a frightened or anxious person.
Avoir de l’effroi: sudden, intense terror.
Frissonner: feeling a slight trembling or shivering due to fear.
Avoir de l’anxiété: a persistent feeling of worry.
L’épouvante: an intense fear.
La hantise: a persistent or obsessive feeling of fear.
La phobie: an irrational, excessive fear of an object, situation or animal.
La crainte: a feeling of apprehension or worry in the face of a potential threat.
Avoir la chair de poule: to feel a shiver of fear.
Avoir peur comme un lièvre: to be frightened very easily./font>
Trembler comme une feuille: being very frightened or nervous.
Avoir les jambes qui flageolent: to be so frightened that your legs shake.
Avoir peur du noir: being frightened in the dark.
La peur du loup: an intense fear, often used to describe children’s fears.
Avoir la trouille: to be very frightened.
Watch these videos to know more fear-related French expressions.
Social dynamics of fear
Here, we’ll look at fear and the French social side.
It’s hard to express fear
In France, expressing fear is considered a sign of weakness. Fear of judgment makes it difficult to say you’re afraid.
Social interactions
Not daring to say you’re afraid can create tension between people. The more unspoken things accumulate, the more relationships can deteriorate.
Effects on communication
Misunderstandings can arise when we’re afraid to express our fears. We imagine that something bad will happen to us if we express certain things.
Social norms
Sometimes, social norms evolve and this leads people to express their feelings in a more comfortable way. This in turn leads to greater ease in the relationship, as communication becomes more fluid.
Media and culture
Television and newspapers can feed fear by providing people with negative information. The opposite is also possible: the media can give positive representations of the expression of fear. This can open the door to discussion.
Education
Educational programs can be set up to promote understanding of emotions, including fear, for young audiences.
Education can be an important lever for building a society open to discussing fear.
Psychological health
Not expressing fear can be deleterious to the psyche. So it’s important to encourage an environment where people can express their fears. This contributes to better health in the general population.
To remember
2 frequently used French expressions
Avoir la chair de poule
Avoir la trouille
I have a fear of being boring.
Christian Bale
Fear and the French educational system
How to reduce fear in school?
Combatting school-related fears
Here are some methods to help reduce a child’s fear of school:
A supportive environment
Creating welcoming classrooms (with soothing colors, decorations, etc.) to help alleviate school-related anxiety.
Mentoring and guidance
These programs provide social support to help reduce student anxiety.
Tackling the theme of mental health
Information sessions can be organized to inform students about stress and anxiety management.
Stress management
To help students cope with stress and anxiety.
Early intervention
Detect signs of anxiety in children as early as possible. To intervene as quickly as possible.
Different teaching methods
Different ways of teaching to reduce the stress of academic performance.
School psychologists
To monitor children individually. Also setting up group sessions to discuss concerns.
Parents
Parents need to support their children in dealing with school-related fears. Information meetings can be organized for parents.
Fear of failure in academics
Anxiety linked to academic failure can manifest itself in different ways:
apprehension before exams
chronic stress related to academic performance
Exam stress
The fear of not achieving the required level can lead to a great deal of anxiety. Stress is heightened by social expectations.
Coping with performance pressure
Learn stress management techniques. Teaching learning and memorization methods. Talk about failure as a means to progress, not as a barrier to learning.
For stress management…
…organize a revision schedule. Rest regularly. Exercise and eat a balanced diet on a daily basis.
Psychologists for students
For emotional support. For stress management workshops. Online resources to help students manage stress on their own.
Exercise
Write in the comments (in French), what is your biggest fear related to school, and why?
