In my opinion: Let's assume that we experience the following vicious circle: >**Vicious circle:** We perceive stuttering anticipation. We view it as a problem. We fear it. We blame it. We rely on the high expectation to avoid it: "I need to reduce it". I think that - All above steps in the vicious circle do not result in stuttering. For example, non-stutterers might anticipate negative reactions from listeners but this doesn't activate a defense mechanism that prevents the execution of words/sounds (so it doesn't result in stuttering). Stutterers might also anticipate negative reactions but this doesn't always necessarily activate the defense mechanism (that prevents words/sounds from being spoken out loud). This same principle should therefore also apply to stuttering anticipation. In other words, even if non-stutterers and stutterers tell themselves that they need to reduce negative reactions (which is a high expectation), then it doesn't necessarily lead to stuttering. If this is true. Then the (positive) virtuous circle should not include strategies (that target above steps in the negative vicious circle). Because that would be pointless as they were not causal to begin with (as explained above). I think that the next step in the vicious circle: "We associate it with an increase in the defense mechanism *(that prevents the execution of words/sounds)*", guarantees an increase in the defense mechanism, and thus, guarantees stuttering. **Conclusion:** So, I draw the conclusion that the positive virtuous circle should include strategies that target this last step: *"We associate it with an increase in the defense mechanism (that prevents the execution of words/sounds)"* **Questions:** 1. Your thoughts? 2. What strategies should we include in this positive virtuous circle?