No. #68
Normalcy Bias
- Underestimating Disaster Likelihood
The normalcy bias is a cognitive bias which leads people to disbelieve or minimize threat warnings. Hence, individuals underestimate the likelihood of a disaster, when it might affect their personal decision-making. This can influence how users respond to warnings or emergency alerts in apps designed for disaster preparedness or crisis management.
Read more on WikipediaProduct example
Users might ignore or not take seriously enough the emergency alerts from a weather app, assuming that the situation will not be as severe as predicted.
Empathy tips
Emphasize Severity Appropriately
Ensure that emergency alerts are designed to appropriately emphasize the severity of the situation.
User Education on Risks
Educate users on the risks of normalcy bias and the importance of taking warnings seriously.
Customizable Alert Levels
Allow users to customize the level of alert they receive, to prevent desensitization.
Regular Testing and Feedback
Regularly test and seek user feedback on the effectiveness of alert systems.
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