1 Psychology and human development1.3 Learning and learning theories
1.3.2 Threat, drive and soothing
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Written by Resident Doctor Committee · Published
New in the 2027 syllabus
The College added this topic for exams from January 2027.
The three-system model
Gilbert's three-system model sorts emotion regulation into three systems:
Threat: protects us by spotting and responding to danger.
Drive: pushes us to seek rewards and resources.
Soothing: gives a sense of safeness through comfort and connection with others (affiliative safeness).
Treat the model as a clinical framework. The three systems are functions that interact with each other. They are not three separate centres in the brain.
System | What it does | Typical responses |
|---|---|---|
Threat | Detects and responds to danger | Fear, anger, escape or defensive action |
Drive | Pursues rewards and resources | Interest, effort and excitement |
Soothing | Supports rest, connection and feeling safe | Calmness, affiliation and recovery |
How the systems interact with consequences
Threat learning makes warning cues stand out. When avoiding something brings relief, that relief reinforces the avoidance. This happens even though avoidance keeps the fear going over time.
Reward pursuit can keep someone practising something useful. But if achievement is driven by fear of failure, the threat system may stay switched on.
Soothing experiences help a person approach something difficult without too much defensive arousal. Compassion-based methods aim to build this capacity.
Punishment may suppress a behaviour but also increase threat. Consider its effect on behaviour and its emotional effects separately.