The fawn responsefawn

The fawn response is a way of protecting oneself by adapting to a threat and appeasing the other. In this response, instead of conflict, a person turns toward pleasing, complying, and pushing their own need into the background. The fawn response often develops in relational settings where fighting or fleeing directly is not safe. This too is a survival strategy; it tries to stay safe by appeasing the danger. The body can use being accepted as a way of protecting itself.