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How is fear distinguished from anxiety?
AFear is learned in childhood while anxiety is inherited
BFear answers an imminent threat while anxiety anticipates one
CFear lasts for months while anxiety passes within minutes
DFear is always pathological while anxiety is always adaptive
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Fear answers an imminent threat while anxiety anticipates one
1. Fear is an instantaneous reaction to a threat that is already upon the person.
2. Anxiety is apprehension, avoidance and cautiousness about a threat, danger or negative event that has not yet arrived.
3. The dividing line is therefore timing and immediacy, not duration or heredity.
4. Anxiety in proportion to the threat is useful, so calling either state automatically pathological misstates both.
_Source: OpenStax Psychology (1st ed., CC BY 4.0), Ch 15 "Psychological Disorders", section 15.4 Anxiety Disorders_
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