Uncertainty in everyday life: Risk, worry and trust

Abstract

This editorial provides an introduction to and overview of the six papers published in this special issue on Uncertainty and Risk in Everyday Life. While uncertainty and risk are connected and the terms often used interchangeably, we argue here that the terms are not synonymous. ‘Risk’ can be used both to describe the threat posed by uncertainty and the response to such threats. The approach to risk grounded in cognitive rationality involves collecting and analysing knowledge and using it as part of a formal decision-making process. Its development reflects the aspiration to control the world and its uncertainties through the use of systematic knowledge and is part of the increasing rationalisation of contemporary society. However, the investment of time and resources required means that this approach tends to be restricted to contexts in which such resources are available and the investments are considered worthwhile, i.e. they are most likely to be used by large scale bureaucratic organisations. By contrast, in everyday life the uncertainties are often fairly predictable and resources more limited. In such contexts, uncertainty tends to be viewed as worries or concerns that are often the product of the behaviour of other people. Individuals develop low cost strategies to manage their worries and concerns. These strategies draw on readily available resources: relationships, feelings and intuition which underpin both trust (through maintaining close relationships) and distrust (through avoiding threatening individuals and places).

Keywords:

• uncertainty
• risk
• worry
• trust
• distrust
• everyday life