# Fear Conditioning **Domain:** Behavioral Science / Learning / Recovery **Doc Type:** Concept Node **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition **Fear Conditioning is learning through which a cue, situation, voice, or anticipated action acquires an alarm response because it has repeatedly preceded punishment, pain, humiliation, or threat.** ## Mechanism and Practice The nervous system can continue preparing for an old danger after conditions change. Recognition, safety, graduated practice, and successful new experiences can update the association and return choice to situations once governed automatically by fear. ## Relationships [[wiki/Human Animality|Human Animality]] · [[wiki/Courage|Courage]] · [[wiki/Recovery|Recovery]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “Early punishment for speaking up can wire fear into the voice. When expressing an opinion repeatedly brings punishment at school and at home, the body learns to brace whenever a person wants to speak. Recognizing the origin of that fear makes it possible to heal it.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *Courage as a Practice of Moving Forward Through Fear - Livestream (Nov 2016)* [[reminders/Moral Courage/Fear Can Become Wired Into the Voice by Bryant McGill|Fear Can Become Wired Into the Voice by Bryant McGill]]