MENDOZA’S THEORY OF RELATIVISM OF FEAR ON SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION

Fear is one of the primal and basic emotions a human possess. It a fundamental factor that enables
human movement and thinking. Fear, is what makes us question phenomenon that are unusual to us
and what makes us find an answer to those questions. In this theory, fear rather than a negative idea or
emotion is regarded as a key factor on human and social construction. That fear is used every day just as
much like a valuable commodity into shaping the society.

This theory presents 6 stages of fear depending on how it is used.

Incorporation – The First Stage in which fear is developed. It is when an unusual phenomenon occurs,
which then will automatically trigger our fear response.

Questioning – The stage where we question why or how this phenomenon occurred. It is also the stage
where new beliefs, solutions and hypothetical ideas are formulated in order to satisfy the fear response.

Instilling - The stage where the newly formulated beliefs, solutions and ideas are gradually established in
the society.

Adaption – It is the stage where because of instilled beliefs, may change an individual’s perspective and
personal beliefs, adapting to a new idea either upon experience or testimony.

Propagation – It is the stage where the new beliefs are propagated into society in a larger scale. Just like
instilling, but through adaption this stage becomes possible.

Establishment – The last and the highest stage in the hierarchy of fear. It is the stage where the newly
constructed ideas are fully established as a whole, enabling social construct.

This theory aims to distinguish the stages and process on which how fear is relevant on shaping the
society. The theory itself is a framework that will determine on how theories, beliefs and ideas come to
be and how they are formulated.
The Hierarchy of Fear on Social Construction

ESTABLISHMENT

PROPAGATION

ADAPTION

INSTILLING

QUESTIONING

INCORPORATION
RELATIVISM OF FEAR ON SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK

UNUSUAL PHENOMENON

INCORPORATION
FEARED PHENOMENON

QUESTIONING
FORMULATION OF QUESTION/
CREATION OF IDEAS

INSTILLING

ESTABLISHING OF
IDEA/SOLUTION

ADAPTION
CHANGE OF
PERSPECTIVE/ACTION

PROPAGATION

PROPAGATION OF THE
ESTABLISHED IDEA/ANSWER

ESTABLISHMENT
ESTABLISHED IDEA/SOLUTION