The Gift of Fear

The Gift of Fear

"The Gift of Fear" is a nonfiction self help book (1997) written by Gavin de Becker. The book claims to help readers prepare for future trauma and violence by teaching them various warning signs and precursors to violence.

Text summary

De Becker's book presents a paradox of genre: described as a "how-to book that reads like a thriller." [de Becker, Gavin. "The Gift of Fear", back cover, Dell, 1997. ] By finding patterns in stories of violence and abuse, de Becker seeks to highlight the inherent predictability of violence. The book explores various settings where violence may be found—the workplace, the home, the school, dating—and describes what de Becker calls pre-incident indicators (PINS). When properly identified these PINS can help violence be avoided; when violence is unavoidable, de Becker claims it can usually be predicted and better understood. "The Gift of Fear" also describes de Becker’s MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems which have been employed by various celebrities and government agencies to predict and prevent violence.

PINS (Pre-Incident Indicators)

*Forced Teaming. This is when a person tries to pretend that he has something in common with a person and that they are in the same predicament when that isn't really true.
*Charm and Niceness. This is being polite and friendly to a person in order to manipulate him or her.
*Too many details. If a person is lying they will add excessive details to make themselves sound more credible.
*Typecasting. An insult to get a person who would otherwise ignore one to talk to one.
*Loan Sharking. Giving unsolicited help and expecting favors in return.
*The Unsolicited Promise. A promise to leave someone alone when none was asked for, this usually means they won't leave the person alone.
*Discounting the Word “No”. Refusing to accept rejection.

Criticism

Some critics, including newspapers, have argued that de Becker's methodology lacks academic rigor and that the notion of judging the potential threat of violence in a person according to a numerical system does not take into account the complex nature of human behavior.Editorial (December 20, 1999). [http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=A19991221083405&date=19991220&query=violence+in+schools Real Live Adults Better Than 'Artificial Intuition.'] "Seattle Times". See also MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems.]

Reception

"The Gift of Fear" spent four months on The New York Times Bestseller List, was a #1 National Bestseller, and has been published in 14 languages. [Main Page. [https://www.gavindebecker.com/index.cfm Gavin de Becker and Associates Official Website] ] The book has been endorsed by a wide variety of celebrities and experts including Marcia Clark and Oprah Winfrey. [de Becker, Gavin. "The Gift of Fear", Dell, 1997. ]

Sources and notes

Further reading

* [https://www.gavindebecker.com/index.cfm Gavin de Becker and Associates Official Website]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear — Theatrical release poster Directed by David Zucker Produced by …   Wikipedia

  • The Gift (Buffy episode) — Infobox Television episode Title=The Gift Series=Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season=5 Episode=22 Airdate=May 22, 2001 Production=5ABB22 Writer=Joss Whedon Director=Joss Whedon Episode list=List of Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes Prev=The Weight of …   Wikipedia

  • The Graduate — Infobox Film name = The Graduate image size = 225px caption = theatrical release poster director = Mike Nichols producer = Joseph E. Levine Lawrence Turman writer = Screenplay: Calder Willingham Buck Henry Novel: Charles Webb starring = Dustin… …   Wikipedia

  • Gift of Men — The Gift of Men in Middle earth refers to a gift of Ilúvatar to his Younger Children, which remains a source of some confusion for Tolkien enthusiasts. The concept includes both mortality and free will. Below are two interpretations of the nature …   Wikipedia

  • Fear Before — performing live Background information Also known as Fear Before the March of Flames Origin …   Wikipedia

  • gift — n 1 Gift, present, gratuity, favor, boon, largess are comparable when they denote something, often of value but not necessarily material, given freely to another for his benefit or pleasure. Gift is the most inclusive term, but it is not… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn What Fear Was — or The Story of a Boy Who Went Forth to Learn Fear is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm. It is tale number 4 in the collection. It was included by Andrew Lang in The Blue Fairy Book .The Grimms first, 1812 edition contained a… …   Wikipedia

  • The Neptunes discography — The Neptunes are a two member producing group consisting of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. This discography lists the recorded performances as a duo and individuals. It also lists the writing and production credits as The Neptunes, as Williams… …   Wikipedia

  • Gift Grub — is a series of short comic pieces broadcast on weekdays on the breakfast show of Irish commercial radio station Today FM since 1999. The characters in the pieces are based on real people, generally local and international celebrities and… …   Wikipedia

  • The Blessed Trinity —     The Blessed Trinity     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Blessed Trinity     This article is divided as follows:          I. Dogma of the Trinity;     II. Proof of the Doctrine from Scripture;     III. Proof of the Doctrine from Tradition;… …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”