Pessimism bias

Biological Parallel

Prey animals exhibit negativity bias—interpreting ambiguous rustles as predators rather than wind. Pessimism in threat assessment (assume danger) has asymmetric payoffs: false alarms cost energy; false security costs life. This defensive pessimism extends to social domains: low-ranking individuals expect rejection and prepare accordingly. Pessimism bias is precautionary thinking evolved for downside protection. Better to over-prepare for threats that don't materialize than under-prepare for ones that do.