Understanding Risk from a Young Age

Risk awareness often begins early in life, as children intuitively navigate decisions with potential rewards and consequences. For example, the simple act of reaching for a cookie can lead to punishment, instilling an inherent sense of risk versus reward. This early socialization shapes one's emotional responses to risk, often leaning towards avoidance of failure due to societal pressures. Even in sports, where failing is viewed differently, the overarching theme remains that, generally, failure is perceived negatively, influencing future risk assessments.