Optimism Bias

NEED TO ACT FASTSYSTEM 1Ego and Confidence

Visual Metaphor

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Definition

A cognitive bias that causes someone to believe that they themselves are less likely to experience a negative event.

Underlying Mechanism

Anxiety Reduction

Observable Markers

  • That won't happen to me
  • I'll be fine
  • It won't affect me
  • I'm different

Examples

  • I won't get cancer, that happens to other people
  • I won't be in a car accident

Insight

Notice: narrative expresses unrealistic optimism about personal risk. Consider statistical probabilities and prepare for potential negative outcomes.

Visual analysis of Optimism Bias cognitive bias showing NEED TO ACT FAST domain patterns
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Opposite Biases

Pessimism Bias

The tendency for some people, especially those suffering from depression, to overestimate the likelihood of negative things happening to them.

7-Layer Framework Associations

Layer 3Layer 5

Research Notes

Mechanism: Self-Protection / Anxiety Reduction. Can flip to Pessimism Bias in depression.

Literal Visualization

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