The Bigger the Problem the Littler: When the Scope of a Problem Makes It Seem Less Dangerous

Lauren Eskreis-Winkler*, Luiza Tanoue Troncoso Peres, Ayelet Fishbach*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Across 15 studies (N = 2,636), people who considered the prevalence of a problem (e.g., 4.2 million people drive drunk each month) inferred it caused less harm, a phenomenon we dub the big problem paradox. People believed dire problems—ranging from poverty to drunk driving—were less problematic upon learning the number of people they affect (Studies 1–2). Prevalence information caused medical experts to infer medication nonadherence was less dangerous, just as it led women to underestimate their true risk of contracting cancer. The big problem paradox results from an optimistic view of the world. When people believe the world is good, they assume widespread problems have been addressed and, thus, cause less harm (Studies 3–4). The big problem paradox has key implications for motivation and helping behavior (Studies 5–6). Learning the prevalence of medical conditions (i.e., chest pain, suicidal ideation) led people to think a symptomatic individual was less sick and, as a result, to help less—in violation of clinical guidelines. The finding that scale warps judgments and de-motivates action is of particular relevance in the globalized 21st century.

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalJournal of personality and social psychology
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2024

Keywords

  • communication
  • failure
  • helping
  • motivation
  • problems

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science

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