Resist that scared-stiff instinct

Fear. It is such a primal, instinctive emotion. Evolutionary psychologists theorise that over the millennia we have genetically bred this fear instinct, as natural selection favoured those who better sensed potential danger.

So essential is this fear function that it has its own physical space buried deep in the centre of our brain, an almondsized capsule called the amygdala. It is our natural alarm system, warning us of danger and keeping us safe.

But as our knowledge and understanding evolved, so did our technology, and we set up systems and environments that do a very good job of keeping us safe. In away, we outsourced the job to make our lives more comfortable and predictable.

We no longer live in the jungle