WHAT ARE THE MAJOR CAUSES OF INSECURITY IN PEOPLE'S LIVES? Coco Sun, Year 12, Gellhorn When threatened, the body has an instinctual
Insecurity,
natural response to a threatening situation, which
Psychological
primes oneself for either resting or fighting a
inadequacy, lack of self-confidence, and inability
perceived threat. This ‘Fight or Flight’ response
to cope, accompanied by general uncertainty and
floods
anxiety
the
body
epinephrine,
with
chemicals
norepinephrine,
such
as
as
defined
by
Association,
about
one’s
the
is
a
goals,
American feeling
abilities,
of
or
cortisol.
relationships with others, the causes of which are
Epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, increases
attributed generally to environmental, biological,
cardiac output priming a person for some form of
genetic, and sociocultural factors. Social and
physical
which
cultural norms are behavioural rules learned
functions as a neurotransmitter enables cells to be
through primary and secondary socialisation,
targeted and primed for action/reaction, and
which often go unspoken and are learned through
finally, cortisol which is a hormone that is closely
observation and interaction with the local and
linked with stress and helps the body respond to
wider culture within a country. For example, in
danger. Some people may be more predisposed
recent years, the prevalence of skin whitening
to insecurities as a result of a more physical
products has increased tremendously among
‘trigger ready’ response to threats from birth. Due
Asian women. Colourism is linked with social
to this instinctual fight-or-flight response in
stratification based on skin tone in China, creating
humans, people have the potential to become
a perception of privilege and social mobility in
fearful of threats or overly vigilant, resulting in
groups with paler skin; resulting in an increase in
insecurity. Childhood and adolescence are also a
insecurity and anxiety within sectors of society
period with complex psychological development,
where many will self loathe due to their skin
with many variables which will affect one's
colour as they ‘feel inadequacy’ in not meeting the
growth, therefore having a direct effect on one's
social norms of beauty.
exertion,
norepinephrine
anxiety and insecurity. Adolescence is a key time where both socioculturally and academically an
Society
association
environment around it, economic insecurity, war
between
puberty
and
and
famine
its can
norms lead
are
the
and
the causes for insecurity and results, are varied.
increasingly
This essay will address the course and sources for
environment and a lack of emotional stability can
insecurity and its effect on students' mental
directly affect how someone views themselves
health.
and their security.
Rapid
people
by
anxiety/insecurity has frequently been made and
insecure.
to
shaped
becoming
changes
in
the
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