The Curious Psychology of Uncertainty

If you’re like most people, uncertainty causes you tremendous anxiety. Why? Your survival brain is constantly updating.

Due to your brain’s disdain for uncertainty, it makes up all sorts of untested stories hundreds of times a day because, to the mind, uncertainty equals danger.

Your brain doesn’t know what’s around the corner, it can’t keep you out of harm’s way. It always assumes the worst, over-personalizes threats, and jumps to conclusions. (Your brain will do almost anything for the sake of certainty.) And you’re hardwired to overestimate threats and underestimate your ability to handle them—all in the name of survival.

When certainty is questioned, your stress response goes haywire, arousing your stress response, kicking you in the pants in an attempt to spur you to action and get you to safety.