[Dragbag036]

Everyone has a fear of some kind or another. it is what we do with that fear that makes us who we are. I have always stated " I don't fear height, but I damn sure respect it". Obviously there has been some form of conditioning early on, whether you realize it or not that gives you this feeling. For most, we get over this by training/conditioning. As in Airborne School, it is understood that many have what is the fear of the unknown. The structure of learning conditions the mind and body to understand that this is a survivable event. The Conditioned Stimuli is the training you receive on how to exit the aircraft and what to do at 100ft AGL and PLF's. The Unconditioned Stimuli is the parachute, as you did not pack it, but is is supposed to come open. In many of our cases it is the surprise or excitement that drives us to do it. We need that in the learning process. After repetitive occurrences we have what is known as Habituation. This is merely a shortened version of Cognitive Psychology, but I feel in many cases fear is a strong word. Inhibition to do something based on the unknown would be my words of choice.