Alex Honnold discusses fear with psychology researcher Armita Golkar - Nobel Week Dialogue 2019

Transcript

welcome to our meet a gold card and to Alex Honnold we are going to talk about fear and from different perspectives I would say that you are both explorers you are meta explores human emotional learning as a research in psychology and you Alex explores physical and mental capacity when when you when you climb I meter what is the best thing with bei... Read More

Summary

In this video, Alex Honnold, a professional climber, and the researcher within psychology, Mette Løvbjerg points discuss fear from different perspectives. They talk about the benefits of curiosity and uncertainty in their respective fields and how it relates to fear. Alex shares his love for climbing, the physical act, and the feeling of improvement. They also discuss the relationship between danger and uncertainty and how humans are inclined to adapt to frequent risks and uncertainties. They touch upon the importance of preparation, visualization, and accumulation of safe experiences in combating fear.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the best thing about being a researcher in psychology?

Mette explains that the best thing about being a researcher in psychology is the opportunity to direct curiosity into something tangible and see the product of their research. They can be creative in looking at the products they create. Being uncertain is also a part of the job as it allows for expressing uncertainty about things and reducing uncertainty through research.

Q: What does Alex like about climbing?

Alex shares that he loves the physical act of climbing and the sensation of moving upward. He also mentions the curiosity about the unknown, pushing the limits, and the feeling of improvement. He finds it satisfying to take something that seemed impossible before and eventually being able to do it.

Q: How does Alex view danger in relation to climbing?

Alex explains that climbing has a spectrum of risk and danger, depending on the circumstances. He uses the example of a photo where he is climbing the hardest part of a 900-meter wall, stating that only a small portion of it is truly dangerous, while the rest is relatively easy and pleasurable. He compares climbing to everyday activities like driving, emphasizing that everything we do has a certain level of risk and uncertainty.

Q: How does uncertainty affect our perception of danger?

Mette explains that uncertainty plays a significant role in how we perceive danger. She states that the frequent or common behaviors that we engage in, like driving, become familiar and less evaluated in terms of risk and uncertainty. On the other hand, rare and extreme actions, like free solo climbing, attract more attention and are seen as more dangerous due to their rarity. She also mentions that the consequences of certain actions, like having a child, can be extremely risky and uncertain, yet they are still common decisions made by adults.

Q: How does knowledge and mastery affect fear and uncertainty?

Alex expresses that knowledge and mastery are essential in combating fear and uncertainty in climbing. He mentions that through visualization and preparation, he acquires a wide range of experience and builds a broad comfort zone. This allows him to perform on autopilot without overthinking during the actual climb. Mette adds to this by stating that safe experiences and learning from mistakes are key to reducing uncertainty and fear in any field.

Q: How do fear and uncertainty relate from a psychological perspective?

Mette explains that fear has both adaptive survival responses to potential threats and subjective conscious feelings. While these aspects of fear are related, one does not necessarily cause the other. Humans, unlike most animals, are more flexible in their fear response as they have to learn what is truly threatening or dangerous. She emphasizes the importance of safe experiences and reducing uncertainty to combat fear.

Q: How do you cope with fear from others about your climbing?

Alex acknowledges that people may be scared for him when it comes to his climbing, but ultimately their fear does not change the likelihood of him falling or the consequences of a fall. He values the opinions of his peers and professional climbers, but ultimately, only he knows how prepared he is and how he feels about the climb. He trusts in his own abilities and preparation.

Q: How does visualization play a role in dealing with fear and uncertainty?

Alex explains that visualization helps him mentally prepare for the climb and imagine different scenarios, including potential falls. By thinking through every position and anxieties ahead of time, he feels more confident during the actual climb. Visualization allows him to experience the climb many times before attempting it physically. Mette adds that visualization is a form of safe experience that helps in reducing uncertainty and fear.

Q: How do you differentiate between fear and excitement?

Alex mentions that he reframes fear as excitement in his mind, especially in situations like public speaking. He explains that fear and excitement often feel similar within the body, and shifting his mindset to excitement helps him deal with the fear.

Q: What is the biggest enemy of fear?

Mette suggests that the biggest enemy of fear is safe experiences. Accumulating safe experiences helps combat the sense of potential danger and reduces uncertainty. By having experiences that contradict the intuitive sense of something being threatening, one gains knowledge and prepares oneself against fear.

Takeaways

In summary, fear and uncertainty are complex phenomena that can be approached from different perspectives. Both psychology and climbing require the ability to navigate and manage fear. Preparation, knowledge, visualization, and safe experiences play vital roles in combating fear and reducing uncertainty. Humans have the flexibility to adapt and learn from their experiences, which allows them to engage in various risky and uncertain activities. Ultimately, fear can be reframed as excitement, and accumulating safe experiences is key to combating fear and understanding the unpredictable nature of life.