| The Mental Approach deals with the overall view of | | | | - Stress and fear associated with any volatile |
| all volatile situations. The aim of this approach is to | | | | situation decreases the sense of control that |
| make one smarter and capable of avoiding and | | | | accompanies proper mental training. Thus this shows |
| responding effectively by doing the necessary things | | | | that increased sense of control and self confidence |
| in a predatory situation. This mental approach to self | | | | can reduce the chances of being victimized. |
| defense has some positive and negative points, | | | | Drawbacks of the Mental Only Approach |
| which are stated as below: | | | | - Our body language projected on an assailant cannot |
| Benefits of the Mental Approach | | | | be changed by an information-only approach. |
| - The dynamics of predatory situations should be | | | | Although it is taught in some self defense schools |
| understood as they increase the odds of anticipating, | | | | that that one can fake non-victim body language by |
| avoiding, recognizing and responding to them. It has | | | | walking briskly, standing straight, and pretending to |
| always been emphasized upon that the best result to | | | | be confident. Pretending to be coordinated, strong |
| a violent encounter is not when someone wins a | | | | and physically fit is easier said than done. |
| fight but when it doesn’t take place at all. | | | | - If running away or fighting back is the best |
| - The solution to all volatile situations is not fighting. | | | | response option in a given situation then one should |
| As mental approach is based on effectiveness, which | | | | always try to successfully pull it off. This is only |
| means reviewing and evaluating the circumstances | | | | possible if one has developed any skills and fitness |
| and selecting the most effective response strategy | | | | levels by regular self defense practice; if not then |
| to execute, gain or regain control in every self | | | | there is a great risk of being defeated by the |
| defense situation. | | | | assailant. |