What does optimism bias lead individuals to believe?

Optimism bias refers to the cognitive phenomenon where individuals tend to believe that they are less likely to experience negative events compared to others. This bias fosters a belief that bad things, such as accidents or failures, predominantly affect other people rather than oneself. As a result, individuals with optimism bias often underestimate their risk of experiencing adverse outcomes.

This belief can lead to a sense of invulnerability and may influence behaviors such as taking unnecessary risks or neglecting personal precautions. By focusing on the idea that negative events strike others, individuals may overlook important information about their own vulnerabilities, which can be detrimental in certain situations.

In contrast, the other options represent different cognitive biases or beliefs that do not align with the concept of optimism bias. For example, believing that one is always correct in their judgments indicates overconfidence rather than optimism bias. The idea that bad things are more likely to happen to oneself contradicts the very essence of optimism bias. Lastly, thinking one has control over every situation is related more to a belief in personal agency than the comparative risk perception that defines optimism bias.