Prof. Henri Laborit (played by himself) uses the stories of the lives of three people to discuss behaviorist theories of survival, combat, rewards and punishment, and anxiety. Rene (Gerard Depardieu) is a technical manager at a textile factory and must face the anxiety caused by corporate downsizing. Janine (Nicole Garcia) is a self-educated actress/stylist who learns that the wife of her lover is dying and must decide to let them reunite. Jean (Roger-Pierre) is a controversial career-climbing writer/politician at a crossroads in life.