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#202A  CAUTIOUS PROCESSING 

Metaphorically my mindspace contains unfamiliar, potentially unfriendly, dangerous places, so I’m cautious. I draw out as much information from it as I can, and perhaps am not as “giving back” as some. I often feel unsettled, stressed, anxious. My caution is due to past a) unpleasant, distressing sensory experiences, and b) physical and emotional stress caused by hurtful incidents or encounters.  Given my self-concept and memories, with my fear of a) and b) I sometimes feel angry and mean. (Note: some subjected to prejudice, bullying, or unwanted sexual attention may abandon caution and hit back.)

More Information About This Worldview Theme--note this table is under construction, last update: August 2025)

a heart WV Theme...

...individual <---> individual

the theme is paired with: #202B Relaxed, Generous, Loving to make Choice #14    in the Choices We Make cards 

this theme as presented in older version of theme structure:        is this theme new to version 4?--YES

click to look at the Project Worldview Cultural Literacy Encyclopedia Related Words, Beliefs, Background articles for the above choice 

 Project Worldview authored discussion, Worldview Watch related issues, songs, etc.  
 

Wikipedia articles related to this theme:

Anxiety recognizes information is needed to resolve uncertainty about some situation Negative Affectivity
Fear Pain very slow to extend trust
self concept  defense mechanisms stress
Resentment Dukkha (Buddhist concept of pain, suffering)  
 

 worldview internal inconsistency related: Strongly valuing this theme and any of the themes in the list below is a contradiction:

#16B   The Golden Rule, Village Ethic of Mutual Help #17B Gratitude & Forgiveness   #18A   Passionately Impulsive   #24B Creative Expression
#28A   Hedonistic Orientation #32B Culture of Tolerance  #38   Love As Family Glue   #102B Easy-Going, Disorderly, Cavalier
#103B Celebrating Team Accomplishments    
   

More to Explore -- Worldview Theme #202A: Cautious Processing
Adaptation in Attentional Cautiousness Among Highly Sensitive Persons by Luchuan Xiao etal. (April 2025 academic paper)
Cautious expectations by Alexandre N. Kohlhas and Donald Robertson (from Journal of Monetary Economics Feb 12 2025)
Learning to be Cautious by Montaser Mohammedalamen etal (2023 paper from Canadian academics)
Worried About Nuclear War? Consider the Micromorts by Matt Reynolds   (post on Wired, October 24 2022)
"The Biology of Fear" by Jenna Hajny  (from Total Wellness magazine April 17 2020
What Kind of Decision Maker are you? (post on nardiajoy.com June 27, 2019)
“What Happens in the Brain When We Feel Fear” by Arash Javanbakht and Linda Saab (article in Smithsonian magazine October 27 2017)
Fear, Anger and Resentment Are Slowly Killing You by Brian Brewington (Nov 2017 blog)
Anxiety Disorders (from National Institute of Mental Health)
Overcoming Fear of Failure  (from Mindtools site)
The Paradox of Avoiding Emotional Pain By Roger McFilin  (on Center for Integrated Behavioral Health site Feb 25 2014)

Careful v. Cautious: One Helps You - The Other Holds You Back  by Lisa Earle McLeod  (on Huffington Post  Nov 17 2011)
Decision Making: ‘Cautious’ or ‘Courageous’? (Posted: June 1, 2007 in Personality Development)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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