FinLit: Fight, Flight, Freeze

​Fight, Flight,

​or Freeze

​Today we will look at how your mind and body may react in certain situations.

​

​Some clarifications:

FIGHT means to act quickly. Sometimes it can mean hitting​, but not always.

FLIGHT means to run/walk away and avoid the situation.

FREEZE means to not do either action above. You might physically freeze up, be unable to speak, or stutter on your words.​

Poll

You come home after a long day at school and all you want to do is grab a snack and chill on the couch. It’s been a busy week, and you need a break. You walk into your dark house, when suddenly all the lights turn on and two dozen people jump out yelling “SURPRISE!” You’re caught totally off guard by, not only a successful surprise party, but by so many people in your house.

HOW DO YOU REACT?

• I would FIGHT (act quickly)

• I would FLEE (try to run/walk away)

• I would FREEZE (not move/speak)

Poll

You’re walking down the street after dark. You only have a few blocks more to go, but you’re unfamiliar with this part of town. You begin hearing sounds you can’t identity, but you don’t see anything. Then you realize the noise is coming out of an alley you must walk by.

HOW DO YOU REACT?

• I would FIGHT (act quickly)

• I would FLEE (try to run/walk away)

• I would FREEZE (not move/speak)

Poll

You’re sitting in your very first job interview. Naturally, you’re a bit nervous—your palms are all sweaty. But you were prepared, and it seems to be going well. Suddenly, the CEO steps into the office, introduces himself, and starts asking a bunch of questions you weren’t prepared for.

HOW DO YOU REACT?

• I would FIGHT (act quickly)

• I would FLEE (try to run/walk away)

• I would FREEZE (not move/speak)

Poll

You’re spending the day at the park with some friends, tossing around a football. Your friend makes a bad throw into some trees, so you go to get it. As you pick up the ball, you’re surprised by a large dog in the shadows. It doesn’t look friendly and it begins growl, baring its teeth. You don’t see anyone around who could be the owner.

HOW DO YOU REACT?

• I would FIGHT (act quickly)

• I would FLEE (try to run/walk away)

• I would FREEZE (not move/speak)

Poll

You’re sitting in the student assembly as the principal talks about some highlights from the past month. He begins to talk about a paper submitted by a student in the personal finance class. It suddenly sounds very similar to a paper you wrote. The principal suddenly calls your name and asks you to come on stage in front of the whole school to talk about your paper.

HOW DO YOU REACT?

• I would FIGHT (act quickly)

• I would FLEE (try to run/walk away)

• I would FREEZE (not move/speak)

Open Ended

What space do you feel the most comfortable in? Where do you feel the safest? Why?

Open Ended

Who are “your people?” Why do you feel you belong with them?

Open Ended

What three qualities do you think people recognize in you the most?

Open Ended

How do you respond when confronted with new information?

Open Ended

Write down the most vivid memory you have of being afraid.