Risk Perception and Emotions

Understanding Risk and Feelings

• Risk is the probability of a specific bad thing happening, and to avoid it, we need to know how likely it is and how bad it is.
• Feelings play a significant role in how we perceive risk, and it's not just about the numbers.
• The feeling of being "at risk" is triggered by uncertainty about what will happen to us, and it's a common experience, such as worrying about getting sick after someone coughs on us or fearing we might miss our bus or plane.

The Importance of Both Risk Numbers and Feelings

• Risk numbers are important, but they don't always align with our risk feelings.
• Sometimes our brain may say a risk is small, but we still feel scared or anxious.
• It's essential to consider both our brain (risk numbers) and our feelings when making decisions about risk.
• The approach depends on the situation, and we should listen to our brain and our feelings, but prioritize one over the other depending on the context.

Understanding Risk

• Risk is the probability of a specific bad thing happening, comprising two essential factors: likelihood and severity.

The Role of Feelings in Risk Perception

• Feelings significantly influence how we perceive risk, making it more complex than just a numerical probability.
• The feeling of being "at risk" is triggered by uncertainty about potential outcomes, which is a common experience in everyday life, such as worrying about getting sick or fearing missed transportation.

Balancing Risk Numbers and Feelings

• Risk numbers are important, but they don't always align with our emotional response to risk.
• In some cases, our brain may calculate a low risk, but we still feel scared or anxious, highlighting the importance of considering both logical reasoning and emotional intuition when making decisions about risk.
• Depending on the situation, we should listen to both our brain (risk numbers) and our feelings, prioritizing one over the other accordingly.

Understanding the concept of risk and how emotions influence our perception of it, including the role of uncertainty and feelings in risk assessment.