Terror Management Theory

Basic Propositions

Like other animals, humans have a host of biological systems that serve to perpetuate their survival. For humans, survival is enhanced by the evolved human brain, which has the capacity to experience symbolic thought, to think about the past and the future, and to be aware of oneself. However, these same capabilities also make humans aware that eventually these systems will fail, and they will die. This knowledge of mortality in a creature designed for survival creates an everpresent potential for anxiety, or terror.

To manage this potential for terror, humans must view themselves as more than animals fated to obliteration. Cultural worldviews facilitate this denial by portraying life as meaningful and humans as beings of enduring significance who will live on literally or symbolically beyond death. Literal immortality is provided by the concept of a soul that transcends death through an afterlife. Symbolic immortality is provided by viewing the self as continuing on through offspring, legacies, group identifications, and valued achievements: “I will die, but my group, achievements, influence, memory will live on.”

Each culture provides a meaning-imbuing story of where life came from, what its purposes are, and how, through one's valued deeds and roles, one will endure beyond one's physical death. Various religious, educational, political, and entertainment institutions, symbols, and rituals promote faith in this meaningful and security-providing cultural worldview. By sustaining faith in one's cultural worldview and living up to the standards of value prescribed by that worldview (i.e., maintaining self-esteem), individuals can believe they are more than just material animals fated to obliteration and thereby manage their potential terror.

Along with explaining the function of cultural worldviews and self-esteem, the theory explains how meaning and self-worth become the individual's psychological security base. Newborns are completely helpless and dependent on their parents for survival. Thus, parental love and protection constitute the initial basis of security. The many fears of the child, the dark, strangers, big dogs, monsters, and so forth are quelled by the protection of the seemingly omnipotent parents.

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