Bonus Reading: The Explanation of the Biological Background of Inherited Fear

Fear and anxiety play a crucial role in workplace resilience, yet they are often overlooked in traditional HR assessments. SelfFusion offers a science-backed model that views fear not as an obstacle but as a biological and evolutionary condition that can be leveraged to strengthen employees’ mental resilience. By evaluating internal value structures and testing them against personal fears, SelfFusion provides actionable insights into workforce adaptability and crisis preparedness. This article explores how SelfFusion differentiates itself from epigenetic theories and experience-based therapies, focusing instead on data-driven, neuroscience-informed approaches to mental wellness in the workplace.

Fear: Not an Obstacle but a Tool for Building Resilience

In SelfFusion models, fear is neither dismissed nor viewed as a purely negative force. On the contrary, it plays a crucial role in building mental resilience. By proactively identifying specific fears, we can preemptively address potential causes of productivity decline. This is done by evaluating the internal value hierarchies of employees and strengthening their mental frameworks against the impact of feared situations.

Most work-related fears stem from past traumatic or emotionally intense experiences that diminish employees' trust in their ability to handle similar situations in the future. To counteract this, SelfFusion assesses the resilience potential of employees by "testing" their internal value structures against personal fears. However, the key to SelfFusion’s effectiveness lies in conceptualizing fear not merely as a reaction to specific past events but as a universal, inherent human phenomenon.

The SelfFusion Approach vs. Epigenetics

Some scientists and practitioners have compared SelfFusion’s approach to epigenetics—specifically the idea that inherited trauma shapes fear responses. Certain therapeutic models, such as family constellations, attempt to reconstruct identity through past experiences and generational patterns. However, SelfFusion firmly differentiates itself from such methodologies.

While we acknowledge that fear and anxiety are intrinsic to all humans—including employees—we view them as much broader and more profound than being solely shaped by the experiences of previous generations. It is undeniable that traumatic events—such as wars, economic crises, and natural disasters—have influenced the beliefs and behaviors of individuals across generations. Similarly, scientific research confirms that certain chronic illnesses and mental health conditions run in families.

However, when it comes to fear and anxiety, SelfFusion conceptualizes these as deeply evolutionary and species-wide phenomena, rather than being predominantly shaped by recent generational history. In this sense, fear is not an idiosyncratic product of an individual’s lineage but rather a fundamental part of the human condition.

Fear as a Default Biological State

Fear is not just an emotion; it is an essential component of biological survival. Scientific research consistently shows that humans perceive threats more acutely than positive stimuli. For instance, Daniel Kahneman’s studies demonstrate that the human brain detects fear even when individuals are not consciously aware of visual stimuli.

From infancy, humans instinctively recognize pain as negative and sweetness as positive. The disgust reaction, as illustrated by Paul Rozin’s experiments, is another example of how deeply ingrained threat perception is — one cockroach in a bowl of cherries ruins the appeal of the entire bowl, while one cherry in a pile of cockroaches does not make them more attractive.

Furthermore, John Gottman’s research suggests that, in relationships, one negative interaction requires four positive interactions to maintain stability. Similarly, studies indicate that children detect and develop fear responses to snakes faster than to other animals, reinforcing the idea that fear is hardwired into our survival instincts.

Fear as a Primal Condition Across Species

This biological fear response is not unique to humans. Research shows that mice react with fear to synthetic compounds that mimic the scent of a cat, even if they have never encountered a cat before. Similarly, monkeys display heightened responses to images of snakes, even without prior exposure or learned associations.

A critical question arises: Does an individual learn fear, or do they learn how to navigate life despite innate fears? SelfFusion’s stance is clear—fear is not merely learned through experience; it is a deeply ingrained biological reality. Overcoming fear is not about unlearning it but about recognizing, confronting, and developing the courage to act despite it.

Freud’s Case Study and Behavioral Truth

A historical example that illustrates this principle is Sigmund Freud’s 1892 treatment of Elisabeth von R., a patient who psychologically (rather than physically) lost the ability to walk. Freud diagnosed her with repression of distressing thoughts, which manifested as a physical condition, and used psychoanalysis to treat her. However, later records revealed that Freud also facilitated personal and financial support systems around Elisabeth—he arranged meetings with a man she liked, helped her reconnect with family, and encouraged her to engage in activities that strengthened her self-belief.

The lesson? While psychoanalysis played a role, overcoming biological fear through action—what we call Behavioral Truth—was a decisive factor in her recovery. This principle applies broadly: resilience is not developed through rationalization alone but through actions that test and strengthen an individual’s capacity to face fear.

The Role of SelfFusion in HR Tech: Measuring and Strengthening Resilience

By clarifying the distinctions between SelfFusion’s model and epigenetic approaches, we emphasize our commitment to scientifically validated methodologies. SelfFusion is not a therapy-based or experience-reliant model; it is a data-driven system grounded in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral science.