How Much Fear? Part 3

How Much Fear? Part 3

Part two of this series of posts describe some of Gavin de Becker's ideas about intuition and making predictions about dangerous behavior. In his book, The Gift of Fear, Mr. de Becker writes that the solution to violence is the acceptance of reality. One aspect of this reality is the understanding that people have reasons for being violent. de Becker describes a system for gaining this understanding. He calls it "the algebra of aggression."

An easy way to remember the elements of the algebra of aggression is the acronym J ACA. J refers to justification. People will act aggressively if they feel justified in using aggressive behavior. There are many ways in which people can justify their behavior, aggressive and otherwise. These can be reasonable such as the use of aggression to escape a life-threatening situation or less reasonable. An example of a less reasonable justification would be rationalizing your use of aggressive behavior just because someone was driving badly.

The first A in J ACA stands for alternatives. People will act aggressively if they feel it's the only or best alternative in meeting their needs. Teaching people nonaggressive alternatives to getting their needs met can be an important part of therapy. The goal is to help people recognize that they are not out of options and their only alternative is aggressive action.

C is for consequences. When the consequences of aggressive behavior are acceptable, people are more likely to behave aggressively. If they stop and think about the consequences of aggressive behavior and recognize that the consequences are serious and ongoing problems for them, the likelihood of aggression decreases.

The second A in J ACA is ability. Does the person have the ability to behave aggressively? While almost everyone has the ability to be aggressive, the degree of aggressive ability may range from verbal complaining and rudeness to the use of a weapon. Good to know.

If your mind and body are telling you that you may be in a dangerous situation with someone, figuring out that person’s justification, alternatives, consequences and ability might help you understand important information and respond to your fear in the best way possible.

Bill Bonacker