Dual-Process Model of Courage

Courage can be seen as a sequence of judgements rather than an inherent personality trait. The Dual-Process Model of Courage, proposed by Aakash Chowkase and colleagues in 2024, frames courage in two ways: fast responses and slower reasoning. 

The first pathway is when people respond quickly and impulsively. Some examples include pulling a child away from traffic, jumping into the ocean to save someone who can’t swim very well, defending someone who is being attacked, or alerting people in the area if there is danger. Practicing this kind of courage means that a person may be acting before consciously thinking about the risks or benefits. They react in response to emotion and instinct, partly cultivated by internalized values. The intuitive skills can also come from experience and practiced skills. 

The second pathway occurs when a person has time to consider circumstances, and must repeatedly choose whether to act or not. Examples include leaving an abusive relationship, speaking consistently in public, admitting a mistake you have made in the past, or testifying in court against someone powerful. In this pathway, courage can take days, months, or years. The person is required to think through every single possible loss, whether the goal is worth pursuing, and if they can realistically succeed. This slower pathway involves reflection and analytical thinking, framing courage as something that can come from consistent decisions made on a sustained basis.

What makes something courageous according to this model? A courageous act generally involves intentionality where the person chooses to act, a substantial risk where there is a meaningful possibility of loss, a worthy purpose where the action aims at something morally or socially valuable, and contextual meaning where the action matters within its particular time and place. Understanding what courage is defined by using this model helps us see the difference between courage and recklessness. Running into danger merely to impress people may be risky, but it may not qualify as courage because it lacks a worthy purpose. Running into danger to rescue someone may qualify because the risk serves an important goal.