Courage is taking a worthwhile risk, with Cynthia Pury, PhD

In this episode of Speaking of Psychology, host Kim Mills interviews Dr. Cynthia Pury, a psychology professor at Clemson University, about the nature of courage. Dr. Pury defines courage as taking a worthwhile risk and discusses how her definition has evolved over her 20 years of research, moving away from the idea that courage is simply overcoming fear. The conversation explores the different types of courage—physical, moral, and personal—and how cultural and personal values influence what we perceive as courageous. Dr. Pury also addresses whether courage is an innate trait or a behavior that can be learned, suggesting that it's a blend of both, and emphasizes the importance of finding activities that people find inherently meaningful to foster courage. She shares insights into her research, including the role of success in perceiving an action as courageous and the potential for teaching courage through hobbies and leisure activities.