E. Tory Higgins, a social psychologist who studies the self and motivation, makes a distinction between prevention and promotion orientation that can help to explain the culture of fear in the body of Christ. Basically, Higgins believes that people are motivated by promotion (achieving a lofty ideal or advancement) or by prevention (avoiding danger or negative consequences). The promotion-oriented student, for example, is motivated to study for an exam in order to obtain a good grade. Her motivation to study is driven by positivity and hope for achievement. On the contrary, the
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