We tend to be foolishly optimistic without calculating the risks. In anticipation of good future outcomes – and how much control we have over them – we overestimate how much control we have over them. Neuroscientist Tali Sharot’s research suggests that the optimism bias has evolved to become an integral part of the human psyche, regardless of one’s race, gender and nationality.
Two sobering examples are we are over-optimistic regarding how fast we can pay off our student debt, or how well we can use our driving skills.
Source:
Michael Simmons & Ian Chew
