Normality Bias (Normalcy Bias)

Normality bias or normalcy bias is the tendency to view a disaster as trivial. This mental state leads to the underestimation of the possibility of the occurrence and negative impact of an emergency situation. This kind of belief makes warnings useless as well as higher health or mortality risks. For instance, the government issued warnings regarding an impending strong hurricane but some people did not make the necessary precautions and refused to evacuate with the belief that it is “just another hurricane”. However, their refusal to heed the warnings caused them their lives.