Consider This from NPR BONUS: Why 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths May Not Feel Any Different
Feb 21, 2021
In this engaging conversation, psychologist Paul Slovic, an expert on risk perception and decision-making, explores the unsettling phenomenon of psychic numbing in the face of COVID-19 deaths. He discusses how our emotional responses diminish as numbers rise, complicating our ability to feel empathy for mass tragedies. Slovic emphasizes the importance of personal stories and powerful imagery in overcoming emotional disconnect and prompting meaningful action during global crises. His insights shed light on why we struggle to grasp the impact of large-scale loss.
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Psychic Numbing and Risk Assessment
- Human feelings are not good at quantitative risk assessment.
- Feelings are more sensitive to a single person at risk than to large groups.
Feelings and Risk Deception
- Feelings can deceive us about risk, leading to risky behaviors like not following pandemic guidelines.
- This also applies to larger issues like genocide and climate change.
Overcoming Psychic Numbing
- To combat psychic numbing, first become aware of it.
- Then, slow down your thinking and consider individual stories, not just statistics.