List the reasons that we tend to evaluate risks inappropriately

Question

What will be an ideal response

Answer 1

Degree of control: Most of us have a greater fear of things we cannot control ourselves. For example, we are more afraid of flying in an airplane than riding in our own car. Yet, the risk of being killed in an automobile accident is much higher than the risk of being killed in an airplane crash.

Fear of the unknown: Most of us fear newer technologies, which we do not know as well as an older, more familiar technology. For example, we fear nuclear power plants more than coal-burning power plants.

Catastrophic aspect: We are more frightened by news of a catastrophic event, such as a nuclear plant explosion, than we are of slow death by smoking. Nevertheless, millions of people die from tobacco use each year, and the number of people that have died from nuclear power plant accidents is very low.

Optimistic bias: We tend to believe that bad things will happen to other people doing dangerous things, but not to ourselves.

Pleasurable activity: Many of the things we do that are not safe provide pleasure or instant gratification, so we continue them despite the risk. For example, smoking or practicing unsafe sex.