Principlev1
Between someone's emotional expression and your response,
Between someone's emotional expression and your response, insert a three-second pause to notice your own reaction and choose a response rather than reacting automatically.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Subcortical Fast-Pathway Threat Processing (amygdala processes threats in ~300ms before cortical processing), The prefrontal cortex requires time to override limbic (prefrontal cortex needs time to override limbic responses), and Cognition Operates Through Dual Processing Systems (System 1 vs System 2 processing). The principle prescribes: given that automatic responses precede deliberate processing, create temporal space for cortical override before responding to emotional expression.