Avoiding vulnerability is a common prisoner's dilemma response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and prisoner's dilemma opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Prisoner's Dilemma
- Concealing prisoner's dilemma from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when prisoner's dilemma is high is enormous
- Shame about prisoner's dilemma thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of prisoner's dilemma often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Prisoner's Dilemma
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in prisoner's dilemma) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and prisoner's dilemma. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Prisoner's Dilemma
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.