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Andrew: Last week, Brian Zikmund-Fisher joined Risk Bites to talk about what makes us
feel more or less at risk. Today, it's time for part two of "Risky Feelings."
Okay Brian, last week you mentioned that we feel more scared of unfamiliar risks
than familiar risks. Brian: right! Andrew: You also mentioned that something else
affects how we feel about risk. Brian: That's right!
Another factor that changes how we feel about risk is "dread."
It's a bit hard to describe, but we know that some types of risk are the kind
that we dread
and some are not.
Andrew: You mean dread as in that sinking feeling you get enough in the pit of your stomach
sometimes? Brian: Yup,
that's the one. Andrew: Got it!
Brian: Take caffeine for example-- Andrew: Oh, I take plenty of it!
Brian: (sighs) Consider caffeine.
There are certainly some risks with caffeine consumption. You can
definitely take too much. And, for example, get jittery or hyperactive. Andrew: That's me!
Brian: And some people get withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it.
But the risks of caffeine are fairly easy to control and reduce.
You just stop
drinking coffee, or tea, or energy drinks. Andrew: Easier said than done!
Brian: True, true. The point is:
the risks associated with caffeine are not very bad.
They go away pretty quickly,
and my drinking coffee doesn't impose a risk anyone but me.
Andrew: So,
we don't dread risks like the risk of caffeine... Well then what
do we dread?
Brian: Catastrophic, uncontrollable risks.
Things like: releases of radiation from damaged nuclear power plants, or
chemical warfare, or
pandemic deadly diseases like
smallpox or bubonic plague. Andrew: You're scaring me now. Brian: These are risks that could
hurt or kill a lot of people at one time.
They're risks and don't just affect us,
but could affect future generations as well. Andrew: I must confess I don't like any
of these risks.
Brian: Nobody does.
But even if they don't actually happen very often,
we tend to be
really afraid of them.
Andrew: So our
feelings about risks come from both how much we know about the risk and whether
the risk is something we dread. Brian: That's right.
and those risky feelings
can have a big impact on how we decide deal with risk.
I'll be back on future episodes of Risk Bites
to talk more about risk and feelings but until then, stay safe
and feel safe too!