Zero-risk bias
The tendency to prefer completely removing a small risk over making a larger cut to a bigger risk. Eliminating a danger feels better than shrinking one, even when shrinking helps more.
In everyday life
Voters back a costly plan to wipe out a rare water contaminant over a cheaper plan that would halve a much more common health threat.
Choosing between two home upgrades, you pay for the one that fully removes a tiny chance of a minor pipe leak instead of the one that would greatly cut the much likelier chance of a basement flood.
Why your mind does this
Finishing what we start is usually a good strategy, since a brain that quit at every bump would never complete anything. Valuing what we already have, what we built and what we worked for keeps us committed and protects our resources. Losing what we have can hurt more than an equal gain helps, so caution around losses often makes sense.
Its family, in 30 seconds: Finishing what we started
How to spot it
Ask whether you're choosing the option that feels completely safe instead of the one that prevents the most harm.
How to counter it
Compare options by the total amount of harm each one prevents.