Original version

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

Health Check

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

Health issues and medical breakthroughs from around the world.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Health Check: The psychology of courage and bravery

Magazines & Reviews

Image: Rock climber clinging to a cliff

2021/08/18 GMT

The psychology of courage and bravery

BBC World Service - Health Check, The psychology of courage and bravery

Why are some people able to keep calm in an emergency whilst others panic or freeze?

Why is it that some people are able to keep calm in an emergency and do all the right things whilst others panic or freeze, not knowing what to do?

The adventurer and ultra-runner Alex Staniforth talks about his survival on Everest following the devastating Nepalese earthquake in 2015. Rachel Manning from Buckingham University considers why we do or don’t intervene in risky situations and in everyday life. And Patrick Tissington from Warwick University draws on the stories behind those awarded the Victoria or George Cross for bravery to suggest some of the best ways to manage our fear in allowing us to be more courageous. The programme is presented by Claudia Hammond and recorded at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June 2021. 

Image: Rock climber clinging to a cliff
Credit: gregepperson/Getty Images

Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Adrian Washbourne

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Health Check

The psychology of courage and bravery

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

About BBC World Service