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Modern humans aren’t great at risk assessment. We often blithely ignore that which could harm us, and are conversely intimidated by things that are quite safe. This inability to recognize threat has vast implications for many aspects of our lives, including our careers. In this talk, we’ll explore root causes of fear and anxiety, and discover how we can start to deliberately rewrite our “instincts”. This will allow us to redirect our worry toward what actually matters, and channel it into productive outcomes that make us safer, happier and less stressed, both at work and in our personal lives.
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In her talk "Why We Worry About All the Wrong Things," Hilary Stohs-Krause explores the common misconceptions surrounding fear and anxiety in modern humans, addressing how our risk assessment skills often misallocate our worries toward things that are relatively safe while ignoring genuine threats. She begins by discussing the nature of fear, highlighting that humans might be the most fearful species due to our imaginative capabilities that can amplify perceived risks. Key points discussed include: - **Common Misplaced Fears**: Stohs-Krause examines common fears, such as spiders and flying, providing statistics that reveal their relatively low danger compared to activities we engage in daily, like driving. For instance, while spiders kill around seven people annually in the U.S., cows cause 22 fatalities. - **Risk Perception Gap**: This concept refers to the disparity between what we worry about and what actually poses a threat. Misplaced fears can lead to emotional and mental energy wastage, poor decision-making, and various health concerns like weakened immune systems and increased anxiety. - **Origins of Fear and Anxiety**: Stohs-Krause outlines how fear stems from the brain's amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, emphasizing that fear is an emotional reaction that can sometimes lead to sound decision-making. - **Factors Influencing Risk Overestimation**: She identifies several factors, such as lack of personal control and familiarity with danger, that exacerbate our tendency to overestimate risk in certain situations. For instance, people are notably more scared of manmade disasters compared to natural ones, even though the latter can be more damaging. - **Strategies for Reassessing Fears**: To combat these misplaced fears, Stohs-Krause suggests reframing our perceptions, recognizing the difference between being scared and recognizing danger, and being prepared for both expected and unexpected challenges. She emphasizes that asking for help and discussing fears can diminish their impact. - **Cognitive Behavioral Tools**: The talk also introduces cognitive techniques for reshaping our fears and decision-making processes, including the importance of identifying stressors, recognizing patterns, and re-evaluating decisions based on available information. In conclusion, Stohs-Krause urges us to accept that perfection can hinder good decision-making, encouraging a perspective that values practical solutions over theoretical ideals. Her insights highlight the necessity for modern individuals to better understand their emotional reactions and to refine their risk assessments in both personal and professional contexts.
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