Dr. Kai-ping Wang, Chief Medical Officer of High Focus Centers, examines our diverse responses to the Covid-19 pandemic from a mental health perspective. These responses range from “panic” such as panic buying or hoarding to “party” such as complacency or ignoring social distancing guidelines.
In uncertain times such as these, it’s important that we react and make decisions as rationally as possible. Having insight and self-awareness into why we react as we do can help us recognize our blind spots.
Heuristics, or “shortcuts,” are used by our brain in order to be able to respond quickly to things in our environment. Unfortunately, in situations that are unfamiliar, or where we have limited knowledge or experience, these heuristics may be less effective or even dangerous.
Learn more about heuristics and cognitive biases, such as the Anchoring Effect, Groupthink, the Dunning-Kruger Effect and Availability Cascade to help you understand your reactions and help stop yourself from taking these mental shortcuts when making important decisions in the midst of this pandemic.
