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.