Survival Instinct: Freeze or You're Dead

Those who are scientifically-inclined may know that the three part which make up the human brain are called the neocortex, the limbic system, and the reptilian brain. Those who are not as science-minded may be more interested in the purposes and functions, as they relate to intellect, emotions, and survival instincts. Others are more concerned with what part intellect, emotions, and survival instincts play in the everyday life of everyday people.

One may accurately assess that the intellect and emotions are the higher plane, that which separates humans from the animal world; if people were to run solely on instinct-- which, unfortunately, some do-- they would have a much less human quality about them. However, going far beyond instincts such as the need for food, is a defense-mechanism which asserts itself in times of extreme threat or danger. While most people are familiar with the "fight or flight" response, fewer are familiar with the response of "freezing." When the options of fight or flight do not exist, a human being becomes like a "deer in the headlights"-- frozen with fear. The first relevant point is that there are no options-- to attempt to fight would most likely result in death, and there is nowhere to run, no way to escape. The second relevant point is, like with the deer, the threat is in the present moment-- not only is one reacting to an immediate, present danger, this survival instinct precludes any involvement of the intellect or the emotions, and can neither draw from past experiences nor project into future possibilities, for both the danger and the reaction are now.

There are a number of animals which also have the instinct to "play dead"-- the animal's instincts cause it to remain seemingly-lifeless, waiting for the threat to go away. What extremes can there be for a human to be in such a position? Abused women and children often exhibit what may be thought odd responses-- like a puppy that has been kicked too many times, they may learn that "putting up a fight" only serves to make matters worse, and so give up trying to stand up for themselves, leading an observer or the abuser himself to misinterpret it as willing compliance. A woman or a child need only be threatened, bullied, mistreated, before realizing that neither "fight nor flight" is an option. In such a position, one also learns to "not show fear."

The expression on his face was as if he were studying a bug under a microscope. Not knowing what, exactly, was happening in front of him, still he remained with his general preoccupation-- looking for some weakness, some crack in her "defense-armor." What was happening was without the option of physically fighting against someone significantly larger and tougher than herself, and without the option of flight, for he had made it clear numerous times that he would follow her wherever she tried to go, she went into a complete state of paralysis-- the body became rigid as an oldfashioned ironing-board, she could not move any part of her body, and even her vocal chords were paralyzed; she could not make a sound, and only her eyes would move. It is uncertain which fear was worse-- that of the individual in front of her, or of not being able to move.

This involuntary defense-mechanism of "playing dead" not only is the most extreme instinctive response to threat and danger, it is also the most terrifying in terms of experience. It is doubtful that studies have yet concluded what goes through the mind of an animal in this position; but for a human who is in a state of involuntary paralysis while the source of threat is directly in front of her, it is a most terrifying experience.