Understanding Responses to Danger: Insights from Jurassic Park
Danger elicits instinctive responses in humans, often defined as fight, flight, or freeze. These reactions are automatic physiological responses to perceived threats, also referred to as hyper-arousal. While commonly seen in high-stress situations, they are masterfully illustrated in the 1993 motion picture Jurassic Park, and resonate deeply when applied to real-world challenges.
Recently, my wife and I attended the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra's breathtaking presentation of John Williams’ iconic soundtrack for Jurassic Park. As the movie played on a large screen, the orchestra performed the score with flawless synchronization. This experience reminded me of the countless times my son, captivated by dinosaurs, watched Jurassic Park as a child, recreating scenes on the living room floor with his toy dinosaurs. Watching the movie again after two decades, I noticed how characters responded uniquely to the threat posed by the fearsome T-Rex and cunning velociraptors. Let’s dive deeper into these responses to danger.
The Three Responses to Danger
The Fight Response The fight response drives individuals to confront and actively defend against perceived threats. In Jurassic Park, Lex, one of the creator’s grandchildren, exemplifies this response when she outwits a hunting velociraptor in a restaurant kitchen. Unable to escape, she locks the predator into a freezer to protect her brother and herself.
In real life, the fight response emerges when individuals instinctively engage with a threat, attempting to protect themselves or others. This impulse often depends on personality and circumstances—some may immediately choose to confront the danger head-on while others consider fleeing.
The Flight Response Unsurprisingly, when faced with a hungry dinosaur in Jurassic Park, many characters opt for the flight response. Unfortunately, running doesn’t always work well against predators like velociraptors.
The flight response occurs when individuals instinctively flee from impending danger. It’s a natural, uncontrollable reaction—whether it’s avoiding being “dinosaur kibble” or escaping gunshots during an active shooter situation. Without specialized training, such as military or law enforcement conditioning, this response is difficult to suppress or modify.
The Freeze Response When danger overwhelms a person’s senses, they may freeze, unable to move or think clearly. This reaction is vividly portrayed when Lex realizes she and her brother are being hunted while eating at the dining table. Mid-bite, she freezes, unable to react initially.
Similarly, individuals exposed to extreme stimuli—such as gunshots in the workplace—may find themselves frozen in place, unable to process the situation or take decisive action. This response stems from the brain’s inability to handle overwhelming stress.
Applying Fight, Flight, Freeze Mechanisms in Crisis Management
The fight/flight/freeze responses can manifest differently for each person depending on the circumstances and level of threat. While these instinctive reactions are unpredictable, preparation through training drills can significantly enhance an individual’s ability to cope effectively. For instance, practicing active shooter drills enables individuals to respond promptly, mitigating harm and saving lives.
Through awareness and conditioning, businesses can equip employees to better understand their instincts and develop strategies for navigating crisis situations effectively. This preparation fosters both resilience and confidence, ensuring improved outcomes in emergencies.
Take proactive steps to prepare for emergencies and enhance workplace safety today! Contact Nate Fredrickson at 605-601-4647 or email nfredrickson@paravelrm.com to learn more about training programs tailored to your needs. Let Paravel Risk Management help you build a safer, more resilient organization.