Teaching About the History of Fear

Abstract

This article discusses existing approaches to teaching about a history of fear and their limitations. First, the possibility of basic changes in fear over the past three centuries deserves serious attention; there are relevant data and explanations. A second approach, focused on fear episodes, also has merit, including the opportunity to assess the reasons widespread fears recede. Without pretending a definitive model, historical perspectives contribute to our understanding of fear, just as fear deserves a more robust place in the growing field of emotions history.