Paul Slovic

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.

In this discussion, Paul Slovic, a research psychologist known for his expertise in risk perception, unpacks the phenomenon of psychic numbing. He reveals why stark statistics on COVID-19 deaths, like the shift from 400,000 to 500,000 fatalities, often fail to evoke empathy. Slovic emphasizes the power of emotional connections over numbers, explaining how powerful visuals can drive public response and the importance of individual actions in the face of overwhelming crises. Engaging anecdotes illustrate how emotions shape our decisions during the pandemic.

Around the world, people are grappling with the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. How do our minds process that risk, and why do some of us process it so differently? This week, we talk with psychologist Paul Slovic about the disconnect between our own assessments of risk and the dangers we face in our everyday lives.