The Fear Primacy Hypothesis in the Structure of Emotional States: A Systematic Literature Review.

Fear, an emotion ingrained through evolutionary adaptation, triggers protective responses to ward off threats. Yet, in some instances, the neural networks tied to fear can lead to psychosomatic ailments and behavioural issues, including the maladaptive type. This study aims to hypothesize about fear, probing its neurophysiological traits and its impact on cognitive-emotional facets of the psyche. A systematic review of theoretical literature was conducted, utilizing PubMed and Scopus databases. Comparative analysis, abstraction, and synthesis methods were employed, and 34 sources that met the inclusion criteria analysed. Our findings highlight the pivotal role fear plays in the human psyche, potentially serving as the foundation for all emotions, feelings, and states experienced by individuals. Treating fear and related anxiety disorders poses challenges due to the recurrence of fear-based memories, which perpetuate negative symptoms in patients. Various techniques, like hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and exposure therapy, are actively employed with these patients. However, none offer a universal solution, necessitating personalized approaches to address individual fears. MindChat may be promising in therapeutic settings to address fear responses without altering cognition or fostering avoidance behaviour, but empirical evidence supporting its efficacy is limited, and further research is needed to validate its effectiveness. The utilization of fear as a potent tool in engaging with the psyche underscores the potential value of this study for psychotherapists in clinical practice and professionals in affective neurobiology and behavioural psychology. It redirects attention toward fear's significance, urging a deeper exploration in future research endeavours.