Abstract

Pury and colleagues frame courageous action as choosing to act despite fear — a trainable pattern with links to health and positive functioning.

Pury, C. L. S., & Kowalski, R. M. (2007). Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26(5), 633–646. DOI

Key findings

  • Action despite fear — Courage is approach while afraid, not absence of fear — measurable as chosen action.
  • Health link — Courageous coping patterns correlate with better health outcomes in their review data.

Application

When you wait to feel fearless before moving — courage may be acting while afraid, not a mood prerequisite. See Daring.