Risk Perception

Humans can perceive different kinds of risk. It is possible to underestimate or overestimate risk. This inaccuracy in predicting risk could be a result of how habitat degradation and its impacts are not clearly unobservable. People pay more attention to issues which have high consequences and are catastrophic.

In the case of the Singapore freshwater crab, the threats discussed are primarily caused by habitat degradation in water quality or water quantity. Therefore, any inaccurate estimation of environmental impacts to the habitat degradation the Singapore freshwater crab, can lead to cognitive biases in the fragility of our local biodiversity. This implies the importance to adopt and incorporate various means to shape perception. Examples include the use of imagery, experience, information, values, emotions and worldview.