The Perception Gap is a theory developed by author and Harvard teacher, David Ropeik, which he wrote about in 'How Risky Is it Really?' which is specifically about looking at and analysing Risk.
In a nutshell, it's acknowledging that sometimes we are more afraid, or less afraid, than the evidence suggests. So for example, people may have an intense fear about an asteroid hitting earth and destroying everything. But if we look at the facts around this.. it's highly unlikely.
It's a mismatch of our reaction of fear, to the likelihood of the outcome. But it's very easy for us to say 'LOOK AT THE FACTS' - that's hard... it's like dismissing your feelings... it's hard to be objective.
Perception gap theory looks at skills in education and effective risk communication, that can narrow the 'gap' between your perception and the likelihood of that scenario playing out.
Managing the risks of The Perception Gap is not just about making the facts clear. That's not enough. There will still be risks that need to be managed because we sometimes get risk wrong.
I found a quote that I really like. It's from Princeton neuroscientist Sam Wang:
The brain really is a survival machine. It's not there to perform some sort of super computing operation and leading to some calculation of Pi to 100 digits. It tells you lies. Your brain misrepresents. It distorts. All in the interest of helping you survive.
