Courage

COURAGE
The word courage is derived from cor – the Latin word for heart meaning be brave.
Definition
➢ Courage is the quality of being ready and willing to face negative situations involving danger or pain.
➢ Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or coercion.
➢ According to Merriam-Webster, it is the "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear,
or difficulty."
An example of courage can be any of the following:
● A soldier confronting an enemy on the battlefield

● A woman who speaks out against sexual harassment at work
● A man who confronts his abusive father about his drinking problem
● A person speaking out against injustice when everyone else turns a blind eye
TYPES OF COURAGE
Physical Courage
▪ Physical courage is the willingness to face physical pain, hardship, or danger.
▪ It often involves acts of bravery in dangerous situations, such as in combat, firefighting, or rescue missions.
▪ Physical courage can also be displayed in everyday situations, such as standing up to a bully or participating in
extreme sports
▪ Examples include soldiers charging into battle, firefighters entering burning buildings to save someone, or
individuals rescuing someone from drowning.
Physical courage can describe any situation where you're willing to put yourself in harm's way to help
someone else.
For example, facing a situation threatening your safety or life for the greater good while putting yourself at risk for
someone else's benefit without letting your emotions control you.
Moral Courage:
▪ Moral courage is the ability to do what is morally and ethically right, even when it might be unpopular or risky.
▪ Moral courage is the strength to stand up for one's beliefs, values, and principles, even when facing social pressure,
criticism, or personal risk.
▪ It involves doing what is right, just, or ethical, regardless of the consequences. This could mean speaking out
against injustice, challenging authority, or advocating for the marginalize
▪ Moral courage is essential for social progress and the protection of human rights. It can be seen in figures like
Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Malala Yousafzai.
▪ Examples include defending the rights of others, or refusing to participate in unethical behavior.
Psychological Courage:
▪ Psychological courage is the ability to confront and overcome inner fears, doubts, insecurities, or emotional
challenges.
▪ This form of courage is often required in therapy. It involves facing internal struggles, such as overcoming trauma,
overcoming addiction, or seeking help for mental health issues.
▪ It can also involve making difficult decisions that require resilience and mental fortitude, such as leaving a toxic
relationship or pursuing a new career path.
▪ Examples include seeking therapy for anxiety, confronting past trauma, or challenging negative thought patterns.
Vital Courage:
▪ Vital courage is the courage to live authentically, in alignment with one's true self, values, and aspirations. It's
about daring to be oneself, despite societal norms or expectations.
▪ This form of courage involves taking risks to pursue one's dreams, passions, or goals, even in the face of uncertainty
or potential failure.
▪ It involves stepping outside of one's comfort zone, taking calculated risks, and being resilient in the face of
setbacks.
▪ Examples include starting a new business, pursuing a creative endeavor and innovation or making a major life
change despite uncertainty.
THE MEASUREMENT OF COURAGE
Courage Measure (CM): Developed by Cynthia Pury and Shannon Lopez-Morton, this scale assesses various
aspects of courage, including willingness to face fear, persistence in the face of adversity, and risk-taking behavior.
Situation Specific Courage Scale (SSCS): This scale, created by Eric Smith and Jennifer Mack, focuses on measuring
courage within specific situations, such as speaking up against injustice or confronting personal challenges.
State-Trait Courage Inventory (STCI): Developed by Gary A. Fine and others, this inventory measures both state
(temporary) and trait (long-term) aspects of courage, covering dimensions like physical, moral, and social courage.
The Courage Scale (CS): Created by Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, this scale evaluates the strength of
an individual's courage by assessing their willingness to take risks, confront challenges, and persevere in the face
of adversity.
In 1976, Larsen and Giles developed a scale to measure existential (moral) and social (physical) courage. The
existential courage domain is tapped by 28 items, and 22 items examine social courage.
Schmidt and Koselka (2000) constructed a 7-item measure of courage. 3-items relate to general courage, and 4
assess vital courage.
The courage scale developed by Woodard (2004) measured courage as the product of the willingness to take
action and the fear experienced while taking the action. It has been revised (now called the Woodard- Pury
Courage Scale [WPCS-23])
FEAR AND COURAGE
FEAR COURAGE
DEFINITION An unpleasant emotion caused by the The ability to confront fear, pain, danger,
belief that someone or something is uncertainty
dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a
threat.
NATURE Primarily a negative emotion that often Typically regarded as a positive trait associated
leads to avoidance or defensive with strength, resilience, and determination.
behavior.
IMPACT Fear can limit opportunities, personal Courage empowers individuals to confront
growth, decision-making, and challenges, expand their boundaries to, pursue
willingness to take risks. goals, and overcome obstacles despite fear.
PERCEPTION Seen as a barrier to progress or Viewed as a valuable trait that enables personal
achievement if not managed growth and leads to achievement, and self-
effectively. realization.
EMOTIONAL Fear triggers a defensive or avoidant Involves facing fear and motivates action despite
RESPONSE response potential risks or uncertainty.
OUTCOME Fear often leads to inaction or courage drives individuals to confront challenges
withdrawal and pursue goals.

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COURAGE

An example of courage can be any of the following:

● A soldier confronting an enemy on the battlefield

THE MEASUREMENT OF COURAGE

FEAR AND COURAGE

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