Managing the Fear Factor
U.S. in the World is currently conducting a multi-year project entitled Managing the Fear Factor, which draws on insights from the social sciences and from public opinion and messaging research to help advocates of responsible U.S. global engagement meet the unique communications challenges they face in times of public fear and anxiety. This project also builds on several of our recent security-related projects, which are described here.
While Americans are not living in a constant state of fearfulness about terrorism, the thought patterns laid down by the trauma of 9/11 are easily reactivated, and fear continues to play a significant role in shaping the national discussion about counterterrorism policy and approaches to the terrorism threat. Research commissioned by U.S. in the World has confirmed that when unreasoning fear and a sense of being at war guide public thinking about security, many ill-advised policies seem intuitively “right” to most people. Short-sighted us-vs.-them policy approaches gain traction, and citizens may become predisposed to accept unquestioningly the authority of strong leaders. If we feel we are in a state of war or crisis, core values that are actually integral to our resilience and our security in an interconnected world may come to be seen as luxuries that a threatened nation cannot afford. If we are encouraged to believe that we face an existential emergency, exceptions to almost any rule become acceptable and we may overreact in ways that are dangerous and counterproductive – precisely the response that terrorists hope to provoke.
Fear also heightens fidelity to one’s own group and increases divisive stereotyping and suspicion of other groups, which we can ill afford at a time when diverse communities – at home and abroad – must work closely together to solve problems that no one can solve alone. In the American public square, unreasoning fear exacerbates ideological polarization, incivility, and distrust, producing paralysis when action is needed and making conditions ripe for the continued exploitation of fear and the channeling of strong public emotions in unconstructive directions.
Through briefings and roundtable discussions, research analyses and commissioned research, and the development of practical messaging advice, U.S. in the World’s Managing the Fear Factor project is providing advocates and issue experts with new tools and strategies for calming public fears, countering the manipulation of fear, and promoting constructive public dialogue about security-related issues.
Related Resources
Detecting Intentions, Managing Fear: How Americans Think about National Security
Summary of in-depth interviews with a diverse cross-section of Americans, as well as other public opinion research conducted by the Topos Partnership in Spring 2008. This report describes the dominant pattern of thinking among Americans regarding national security and the consequences of this thinking for policy debates.
- Author: Axel Aubrun and Joseph Grady of the Topos Partnership, with Andrew Brown
- Year Written: 2008
The Impact of Fear on Public Thinking about Counterterrorism Policy: Implications for Communicators
Chapter written for an anthology entitled Terrorizing Ourselves: Why U.S. Counterterrorism Policy is Failing and How to Fix It, published by the Cato Institute in 2010. The chapter discusses how fear affects people’s ability to reason and make logical decisions during times of stress. The psychology of this topic is explored, along with its implications for communicators.
- Author: Priscilla Lewis, Co-Director, U.S. in the World
- Year Written: 2009
- To purchase the anthology, Terrorizing Ourselves, please visit Cato’s online bookstore.
Promoting Progressive Thinking about Policy in Fearful Times
In-depth research conducted by the Topos Partnership into how Americans react to fear, how different ideas and policies will be received in the aftermath of a fear inducing event, and what can be done to help prepare the public to react constructively in response to fear.
- Authors: Axel Aubrun and Joseph Grady of the Topos Partnership, with Andrew Brown
- Year Written: July 2009
PowerPoint presentation summarizing a conference co-hosted by USITW on the role of faith leaders in managing the impact of fear on public discourse. This powerpoint summarizes findings from papers commissioned by USITW which discuss the history of fear in the three Abrahamic faiths, and summarizes the discussions held that day with faith leaders themselves.
- Author: U.S. in the World
- Year Written: 2010
Tug of War: Conflicting Views of Security
Meta-analysis of research conducted by the Topos Partnership on public views of security policy. This report uses the research to highlight areas where advocates of a more progressive view of security can and should make progress in utilizing existing public opinion and understanding to their advantage.
- Author: Meg Bostrom, of Public Knowledge and the Topos Partnership
- Year Written: 2008
Helping the Public Manage Fear
Discussion points written by USITW and NSN reflecting the best expert wisdom on how influencers can better help the public manage fear and elicit resilience in the wake of a major fear-generating news event.
- Author: U.S. in the World and the National Security Network
- Year Written: 2008
