____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Subject PSYCHOLOGY

Paper No and Title Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module No and Title Module no.18: COURAGE

Module Tag PSY_P9_M18

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Learning Outcomes
2. Defining Courage
3. Components of Courage
4. Measuring Courage
5. Gender Differences in Courage
6. Developing and Inculcating Courage
7. Fear and Courage: Unravelling the relationship
8. Becoming Courageous
9. Summary

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. Learning Outcomes
After studying this module, you shall be able to

 Know what courage is, how to develop and become courageous

 Identify the components and types of courage, and ways to measure Courage
 Evaluate the relationship between fear and courage and also see gender differences that
exist for courage

2. Defining Courage
Courage is a desirable universal value. But to the surprise, this so valued quality hasn‟t received
much attention despite being talked about since ages. This construct has lately received attention
within the realm of Psychology with the advent of positive psychology. However, it still hasn‟t
got a stand as the other positive psychology variables like hope and optimism have got.

Courage is valued across cultures and nations. Courage needs fearlessness, awareness and active
coping. Courage coaching starts early in childhood when fairy tales are narrated to children and
this attribute is continuously worked and built upon till adulthood. Courage is usually inculcated
through inspirational messages and stories. It is a value that provides an individual with great
respect and admiration.

The concept still lacks consensus amongst scholars over its definition. There is a paucity of
research done on this construct which could be attributed to the fact that there are difficulties in
establishing clear definitions of this construct. However, following are a few definitions of
courage:-

Woodard (2004) defined courage as “the ability to act for a meaningful (noble, good or practical)
cause, despite experiencing the fear associated with perceived threat exceeding the available
resources” (p.174).

A more recent definition is given by Snyder (2005) wherein courage is defined as “responding to
extraordinary times with behaviours that seem natural and called for in those circumstances. It is
only later, when removed from courage- eliciting events, that the protagonist and others view the
behaviours as particularly worthy of the label courageous. This view of courage obviously gives
greater weight to situational than to personal factors and suggests that most people are capable
of courage if faced with the appropriate circumstances.” (personal communication, October 17,
2005).

Shelp (1984) defined it as, “courage is the disposition to voluntarily act, perhaps fearfully, in
dangerous circumstances, where the relevant risks are reasonably appraised, in an effort to
obtain or preserve some perceived good for one self others recognizing that the desired perceived
good may not be realized” (p. 354).

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another definition given by Cicero (as summarized by Houser,

2002) which sees courage as (1) magnificence, the planning
and execution of great and expansive projects by putting forth ample and splendid effort of mind;
(2) confidence, that through which , on great and honourable projects, the mind self-confidently
collects itself with sure hope; (3) patience, the voluntary and lengthy endurance of arduous and
difficult things, whether the case be honourable or useful, and (4) perseverance, ongoing
persistence in a well-considered plan. (pp. 305)

Cicero‟s definition covers many desirable character traits and values such as confidence,
magnificence, patience and perseverance. All these are important to exhibit courage. Courage
involves not only physical strength, endurance but also the capacity to innovate and have the
mental stamina to be able to withstand the pressure. Basically, courage is the capacity of an
individual to be able to persevere under pressure. How an individual is able to deal and stand
upfront when he/she faces situations that are difficult to sail through. This capacity of courage is
what lets people sail through turbulent times and reach the desired goal. Therefore, it‟s a quality
that is highly required in today‟s times.

3. Components of Courage
Rate, Clarke, Lindsay and Strenberg identified components of courage as intentionality,
deliberation, personal risk to the actor, noble/good act, and perhaps fear. Currently, there appears
to be a consensus that courage requires the element of intentionality. The actor must have an
awareness and understanding of the presented occasion for courageous action, and voluntarily
decide to act. It also requires a worthy goal, deemed so by merit of that goal‟s moral, noble, or
otherwise good value, typically from the perspective of the actor. Finally, the actor must perceive
the occasion for courage as potentially personally threatening and the outcome must not be
certain. There is no courage where personal safety is assured, but it is here that a secondary or
parallel role of fear becomes relevant. Personal risk and uncertainty may or may not induce the
emotional response of fear, depending on factors such as training, familiarity, and confidence.
While this added emotion would be expected to emerge from personal threat and uncertain
outcome, some authors believe that acting under these conditioned constitutes courage with or
without the presence of fear (Pury & Woodard, 2009).

Shelp (1984) indicated four components of courage: (1) free choice to accept or not to accept the
consequences of acting, (2) risk or danger, (3) a worthy end, and (4) uncertainty of outcome.

4. Types of Courage
Scholars have deliberated upon various kinds of courage. Courage can be bifurcated into many
types. However, the most common division has been with respect to moral courage and physical
courage. O‟Byrne, Lopez and Peterson (2000) elaborated upon three types of courage as physical,
moral and vital.

 Physical Courage usually involves taking risk taking. It allows us to risk discomfort,
injury and pain. An example would be the courage that a fire-fighter has or the courage to
take on with your enemy.

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fire fighters exhibiting physical courage

www.dangerousintersection.org

 Moral courage is the expression of standing up for moral good against all odds. It
involves doing the right thing even if it involves high amount of inconvenience or
discomfort to present life circumstances. Choosing between alternatives and making good
decisions that are morally correct and are in tandem with our ideals is what reflects moral
courage. Examples of some people who showed immense moral courage and chose to do
things in the right way are Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King.
Moral courage involves actions towards preservation of justice and service for the

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mahatma Gandhi Mother Teresa

http://commons.wikimedia.org http://commons.wikimedia.org

Martin Luther King

http://commons.wikimedia.org

common good. John F. Kennedy in his compilation „Profiles in Courage‟ gave more
attention to moral courage than to physical courage. Moral courage also can be shown
when we act with sensitivities towards people that are underprivileged economically,
socially or physically.
 Vital courage was coined by Finfgeld before which it was referred to as health/ change. It
is the capacity to be able to withstand and be resilient in the face of physical illnesses.
Vital courage is only shown when one is faced with disabilities and diseases, especially

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

chronic diseases that are there to stay. How an

individual fights and takes these debilitating conditions as a part of life and learn to be
optimistic represents vital courage. Vital courage is also shown by family, friends and
hospital care providers like nurses and doctors who are treating patients with illnesses.

Another related construct is of Psychological Courage that involves risking one‟s psychological
status quo while achieving desirable goals. As put forth by Putman (1997) it is the strength in
facing one‟s destructive habits. It is the courage that is shown when one is dealing with situations
that are stressful, requires choosing between alternatives, facing psychological challenges and
difficulties. Therefore, psychological courage is exhibited when one faces such situations and
emerges triumphant and is able to make wise decisions and correct our belief systems.

Another classification over the types of courage was given by Peterson and Seligman (2004) in
their Values in Action (VIA) Classification that conceptualized courage as a core human virtue
comprised of such strengths as valour (taking physical, intellectual and emotional stances in the
face of danger), authenticity (representing oneself to others and the self in a sincere fashion),
enthusiasm/ zest (thriving/ having a sense of vitality in a challenging situation), and industry/
perseverance (undertaking tasks and challenges and finishing them) (Snyder & Lopez, 2007).

Woodard and Pury found individual differences in courage based on a combination of the context
and the goal of action. The four contexts includes: work courage, courageous actions taken in the
context of one‟s career or other major personal goal; belief-based courage, the courage to stand
up for one‟s religious or political beliefs; social courage, the courage to take a moral stand for
specific others despite social pressure; and family courage, or courageous actions in the context
of familial or other close relationships (Woodard & Pury, 2009).

4. Measuring Courage
As there are individual differences in the presence and strength of courage, it becomes necessary
to measure courage. A common man‟s perspective on courage usually involves a mention to
physical and mental strength, the capacity to take risks in uncertain situations. It has both
attitudinal and behavioural components.

Courage scales that have emerged have mostly found to be self-report multi-item questionnaires.
The Values in Action questionnaire measures courage across 4 dimensions of bravery,
perseverance, integrity, and vitality. Woodard (2004) developed a courage scale wherein a
courage score he calculated a courage score by multiplying the rating of the participant‟s
willingness to act in the situation by the participant‟s fear rating.

Pury, Kowalski and Spearman (2007) found that actions considered courageous compared to the
individual‟s typical actions, or “personal” courage, might alternatively be thought of as fearful
courage. On the other hand, actions considered courageous compared with the way most people
typically act, or “general” courage, might be considered with the concept of fearless or confident
courage. Such a reference-based conceptualization of courage as a construct perhaps being
modified by fear-reducing familiarity, ignorance, or training explains how what is courageous for
one person may or may not be courageous for another (Woodard & Pury, 2007).
PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Courage scale developed by Woodard (2004) measures

courage as the product of the willingness to take action and the fear experienced while taking the
action. This scale puts forth certain hypothetical situations wherein the person chooses to agree or
disagree with the behaviours that are given as responses to situations. Recent findings suggest
that fear may not necessarily be a part of courageous action. Items for the original courage scale
were reanalysed using only the “willingness to act” scores. A four factor structure –work/
employment, patriotic/ religion based belief system, specific social-moral, and independent
courage or family based- was found. This factor solution was replicated in a slightly revised
version of the scale administered to a new participant sample. Interpretations of these factors
suggested that courage may be classified by more complex, context- based situations. A revised
version of the scale, the Woodard-Pury Courage Scale- 23, is included for further research and
investigation (Woodard & Pury, 2007).

As the construct of courage is still in its infancy there are not many scales developed to measure
this construct. Also due to differing dimensions being proposed for courage there are
complications with the measurement of this psychological strength.

5. Gender Differences in Courage

Mostly men have been found to displaying more bravery than women. However, Becker and
Eagly found that slightly more women than men undertook other heroic actions in various walks
of life. They explained these differences in terms of male role construction, emotional control,
and situational requirements for physical speed and power- present in male-dominated situations-
and empathic concern and relational construal- present in situations with greater gender balance
(Woodard & Pury, 2009).

6. Developing and Inculcating Courage

As this quality is highly required by one and all, in all professions and in all walks of life, it is of
vital importance to be able to develop this character strength. Following are a few ways in which
one can choose to evolve as a courageous individual

 Getting ready for action: many a times there are situations wherein an individual is faced
with circumstances that evoke fear. Then is the time when it is crucial for this individual
to muster all courage and be able to overcome the feeling of fear and choose to act the
way it is required and desirable.

 Being true to one‟s actions- In such situations an individual might feel torn apart in
choosing between alternatives, but it is of utmost importance that the individual must
choose to act in a way in which he/ she is truthful to oneself and what one actually
desires. It is only under such circumstances that an individual will be called courageous.
Passion is what that will drive one towards the desirable. Therefore, fear and courage co-
exist.

 Perseverance- many a times we may not be able to achieve what we are looking for.
Thus, it is highly required that the individual doesn‟t give up easily. Starting afresh is
PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY
Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

what that will give an individual renewed strength to

face adversities and persevere till the goal is reached.
So keep going forward.

 Knowing the difference between right and wrong- having the sensitivities to choose
between the good and bad. Being courageous for not so good things would not be
considered as demonstration of the quality. Therefore, making intelligent decisions is
what is also required to be courageous.

 Going beyond one‟s comfort zone- having the potential and strength to innovate,
discover, having the zeal to go beyond the status quo and be ready to have a thrilling
challenging life increases one‟s courage. Therefore, having the courage to expand one‟s
repertoire of experiences is also desirable.

 Accepting failures with open arms- failures are a part of experiencing successes. A
courageous man has the strength to bear with any failure that might happen and still be
able to persevere and be resilient to face adversities. Accepting it the way it is
demonstrates faith in one‟s capacities that further builds courage.

7. Fear and Courage: Unraveling the Relationship

The relationship between fear and courage is a complex one. Rachman (1984) found that people
who are scared can perform fearful acts. However, in trying to understand this relationship
between fear and courage in layman‟s terms would be that persistence in the face of fear is
courage. The willingness to approach not-so-good circumstances with a can-do attitude can be
labelled as courage. Courage and fearlessness are considered as synonyms. And courage then
becomes standing tall and strong in the face of courage. Being able to face fearful situations is
courage.
Rachman described courageous actions in part based on tripartite model of fear involving
emotion- based changes in physiology, cognition and behaviour. In taking self reports before a
courageous action is taken, lead to the finding that fear is highest before action and immediately
declines after it. Rachman (1984) in an effort to study why people respond to fear that is
conducive to courage found through his study on paratroopers that jumping despite fear led to its
reduction. The fear was moderate in the beginning which gradually subsided with practice
(Snyder & Lopez, 2007).

There are thus various theorists that have different views about the relationship of fear and
courage. Some define fear as a necessary component of courage and following a course of action
despite the fear is courage. Others hold beliefs such as fear is a very common feature of courage.
Thus, through these researches it may be concluded that fear is an important component of
courage. But it may also be concluded that there are misunderstanding with respect to the
relationship between fear and courage and therefore can be a good area to add more researches
that can add to the existing body of knowledge.

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Becoming Courageous

Everyone‟s definition of courage changed with changing situations. The more a person
experiences situations in which he would have to choose between being courageous or fearful,
more this person would come up with a different definition of courage for him/herself. Courage is
an attribute that is admired, needs to be promoted and fostered in every individual. Courage
would develop with successful acts of being courageous. So one can be a vicarious model to his
own self and that can gradually build upon the foundation of courage.

The experience of courage only comes in when there is the emotion of fear and it is only when
the fear is overcome that the courage comes. For courage it is important that there is a perceived
personal risk, the presence of fear, and an uncertain outcome. Courage is an action that takes
place despite the fear, the risk, and the uncertainty.
Examples of courageous acts would be starting a new thing, that could be anything from a
beginning to do a new course, getting married, having children, moving to a new city. A person
who lives an engaging life can be labelled as courageous. He doesn‟t fear his will to try out new
things and is ready to explore. Also it is important that before acting one weighs the alternatives
and makes a calculated wise decision.

Robert Biswas-Diener, the author of book „The Courage Quotient‟

www.amazon.com
Robert Biswas- Diener has recently come up with his book „The Courage Quotient: How science
can make you braver‟ in 2012 and this book elaborates on how one can manage fear and develop
courage. It also has guidelines that give tips on increasing one‟s strengths and qualities and how
one can live a life that is true to oneself wherein an individual chooses to do what he wants and
stands up for what he thinks is the right thing to do.

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. Summary
1. Courage is a value strength that is highly desirable across nations and cultures; however,
it hasn‟t received much attention due to which there is a paucity of research in this area.
2. Various scholars have deliberated upon the components of courage.
3. Most of the time courage is thought to be physical in nature, however there are other
types of courage too such as moral, vital and psychological.
4. The construct of courage is still in its infancy there are not many scales developed to
measure this construct. Also due to differing dimensions being proposed for courage
there are complications with the measurement of this psychological strength.
5. As courage is a state and not a fixed trait, it can be developed through various steps such
as getting ready for action, being true to one‟s action, perseverance, making correct
choices, experimenting and accepting failures on the path.
6. The relationship between fear and courage is complex and needs more research.
7. Courage is an action that takes place despite the fear, the risk, and the uncertainty.

PSYCHOLOGY Paper no.9: POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

Module no.18: COURAGE