No categories found for this post.
What Is Terror Management Theory?
Terror Management Theory (TMT) posits that humans have an inherent fear of death and mortality, which drives them to seek ways to create a legacy that will be “immortal.” TMT […]
Terror Management Theory (TMT) posits that humans have an inherent fear of death and mortality, which drives them to seek ways to create a legacy that will be “immortal.” TMT suggests that people cope with anxiety toward death by making decisions that provide a sense of purpose and significance, and bolster their self-esteem. This can look like leaning deep into cultural beliefs and values, thus affirming their place in a “significant” group that will live on after their death. This isn’t necessarily a positive trait — when people cling more strongly to their cultural norms, they can exhibit increased nationalism or prejudice against those who don’t share their beliefs.
First developed by psychologists Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, and Tom Pyszczynski in the 1980s, and expanded on in a Greenberg/Solomon book in 2015, the foundation of the theory is based on a 1973 book by anthropologist Ernest Becker. Critics of the theory assert that the original studies on which TMT is based cannot be replicated, but the concept continues to resonate with many.
Sources
“Terror Management Theory”. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/terror-management-theory
“Understanding Terror Management Theory”. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/health/terror-management-theory
