Question

The fallacy of catastrophic expectations

Fearful communicators who subscribe to the irrational fallacy of catastrophic operate on the _________________ that if something _______________ can possibly _________________, it _________________. Ex: "If I apply for the job I want, I probably won't be hired"

Answer 1

The fallacy of catastrophic expectations reflects the mindset that if something bad can happen, it most certainly will, often leading to self-fulfilling prophecies. It aligns with cognitive biases and false cause fallacies where people incorrectly attribute outcomes to unrelated actions or events. Recognizing this fallacy is critical to prevent biased actions and irrational decisions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fallacy of catastrophic expectations concerns the belief pattern where a person assumes that if something bad can happen, it most definitely will. This type of thinking can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, as it often affects one's behavior and leads to the very outcomes feared. For example, if a person goes into a job interview believing they will not be hired, their nervousness and lack of confidence may contribute to a poor interview performance, ultimately causing the expected rejection.