Mistaken Fear #
June 10th, 2008 | In Worth Considering
Psychology Today has a great article about the errors in reasoning that (vestigial) fear causes us to make. The ten:
- Risk and emotion are inseparable.
- Fear skews risk analysis in predictable ways.
- We underestimate threats that creep up on us.
- We prefer that which (we think) we can control.
- We substitute one risk for another.
- Using your cortex isn’t always smart.
- The “risk thermostat” varies widely.
- Risk arguments cannot be divorced from values.
- “Natural” risks are easier to accept.
- Worrying about risk is itself risky.
(via Lone Gunman)