Zero-Risk Bias

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About Zero-Risk Bias

Zero- risk bias refers to a tendency to prefer options that reduce a risk to zero, instead of a scenario which reduces a risk to some non-zero amount. People fall into this bias because humans are often risk-adverse and can crave absolute certitude when making choices. For example, preventing toddlers from climbing seems safer than allowing them to climb. They can’t fall and get hurt if they don’t climb.

Zero-risk bias can cloud our judgment. Less restrictive options, that come with a bit more potential risk, are frequently the wiser choice. For example, beneficial learning and physical development come with letting toddlers climb—things like honing their depth perception, assessing risk, and building their proprioceptive systems. Making climbing acceptable and mitigating hazards to reduce danger is a better option in the long run.

It seems appropriate to reiterate here that:

Danger is something that could potentially cause harm
Hazard is a danger that is not easily seen or predicted
Risk can be observed, evaluated, and chosen even though it may cause harm

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