The Critic: The metrics of fear – how the UK has been scared into submission

Author
time
< 1 mins read
Fear is the most powerful of emotions and, as emotions are stronger than thoughts, fear can overpower the clearest of minds. We shouldn’t feel bad about being frightened. From an evolutionary perspective, it is key to our survival, it protects us from danger. And that is precisely what makes fear one of the most powerful tools in behavioural psychology. Britain has been a world leader in behavioural insights since David Cameron set up the “nudge unit”. We now export behavioural psychology to governments and corporations around the world. The Government has used behavioural psychology to influence behaviour and encourage compliance during the Covid-19 epidemic. But has the nudge become a shove?

“The perceived level of personal threat needs to be increased among those who are complacent, using hard-hitting emotional messaging.
– SPI-B paper, 22 March 2020.

 

“Fear is the most powerful of emotions and, as emotions are stronger than thoughts, fear can overpower the clearest of minds. We shouldn’t feel bad about being frightened. From an evolutionary perspective, it is key to our survival, it protects us from danger. And that is precisely what makes fear one of the most powerful tools in behavioural psychology.

Britain has been a world leader in behavioural insights since David Cameron set up the “nudge unit”. We now export behavioural psychology to governments and corporations around the world. The Government has used behavioural psychology to influence behaviour and encourage compliance during the Covid-19 epidemic. But has the nudge become a shove?

When the SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) minutes were published, people were startled by the admission that the UK Government intended to deliberately frighten people to make them follow the lockdown rules. But governments have long-used use fear to control populations and influence behaviour, from the benign intentions of health campaigns such as the 1980s hard-hitting Dont die of ignorance” HIV campaign, to the more concerning end of the scale, such as the USA’s MK-ULTRA.

Can using fear be justified in a disaster?”

Read the full article at, “The Critic”  The Metrics of Fear | Laura Dodsworth

 

PANDA Interviews
PANDA Newsletter
PANDA Telegram
PANDA Odysee

Publisher’s note: The opinions and findings expressed in articles, reports and interviews on this website are not necessarily the opinions of PANDA, its directors or associates.

Share this article

Subscribe

By entering your email address and clicking “Submit,” you agree to receive updates from PANDA about our work. To learn more about how we use and protect your personal data, please view our privacy policy.
Scroll to Top

INDEPENDENT INSIGHT REQUIRES INDEPENDENT FUNDING

As a non-profit organisation, PANDA’s work remains free of bias and conflicts of interest. Support our work with a monthly donation which aids our planning and resources, and enables societies that are healthy, functioning and resilient.. We rely on your financial support to keep the conversation open.

We value your privacy

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience of our website, to collect anonymous statistics, and to keep our site reliable and secure.By clicking “Accept,” you consent to the use of cookies on this site. For more information, see our privacy policy.

We Rely On Your Financial Support

Every donation, big or small, will help us continue to discover, explore, plan, reach and impact more. Donate and be a part of Panda.