Many people believe they are more likely to experience positive events and less likely to encounter negative ones compared to their peers. This phenomenon is known as
Social Studies · Middle School · Tue Nov 03 2020
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Answered on
- The phenomenon you're describing is known as the "optimism bias." It is a cognitive bias that causes individuals to believe they are less at risk of experiencing a negative event and more likely to experience a positive one as compared to their peers. This affects people's belief in their future personal experiences, not just general outcomes.
- Optimism bias can influence behaviors and decision-making processes. For example, it might lead a person to underestimate the likelihood of experiencing health problems, and as a result, they might not take preventive actions, such as following a healthy diet or exercising regularly. Similarly, optimism bias can also impact financial decisions, leading to underestimating the risks in investments or not preparing enough for retirement.