As people go through life, they are constantly faced with choices that affect their well-being and happiness. These decisions can be about personal matters like career paths, romantic relationships, or family dynamics. One of the most important choices individuals have to make is whether to pursue short-term goals for immediate gratification or long-term objectives that may take time to accomplish. Exposure to extreme risk can influence how people prioritize these different types of goals. This paper will discuss how exposure to extreme risk influences the prioritization of immediate versus long-term relational goals and provide examples from literature to support this argument.
How does exposure to extreme risk impact relational decision-making? Studies show that when individuals are exposed to situations where there is a high degree of uncertainty and potential harm, such as during war or natural disasters, they tend to prioritize their immediate needs over long-term goals.
In her book "The Art of War," Sun Tzu advises leaders to focus on short-term gains instead of planning for the future because it's too unpredictable and dangerous. Similarly, researchers have found that survivors of trauma often become hypervigilant towards threats and focus on meeting basic needs rather than investing in relationships. They also find it difficult to trust others since they fear being abandoned again.
Studies suggest that not all risks have the same effect on goal-setting. When faced with low-risk situations, individuals may still prioritize long-term goals despite the temptation of instant gratification. In his study, psychologist Daniel Kahneman found that people were more likely to save money if they had access to a savings account than if they had to keep the money under their mattress. He attributed this behavioral difference to the fact that people felt safer storing their money in an external location, which made them less concerned about its security. The availability heuristic, which suggests that people are influenced by readily available information, may also explain why individuals in safe environments tend to plan ahead.
So how can we apply these insights to our daily lives? Firstly, it's essential to understand that some types of risks can be managed better than others. Risk management involves anticipating potential dangers and developing strategies to mitigate them before they occur. This means creating safety nets such as emergency funds or backup plans so that you don't have to compromise your relationship with someone just because they offer immediate rewards. Secondly, it's important to consider both short-term and long-term objectives when making decisions. Short-term goals like career advancement should not take precedence over long-term ones like building meaningful connections with loved ones.
It's crucial to acknowledge that different people handle risk differently due to factors like personality traits and life experiences. While one person may thrive in high-risk environments, another might prefer stability and predictability.
How does exposure to extreme risk influence prioritization of immediate versus long-term relational goals?
Research indicates that individuals who are exposed to significant risks tend to prioritize their immediate needs over long-term relationship goals (McGuire & Kowalski, 2016). This may be due to an evolutionary psychology mechanism that ensures survival by emphasizing attending to urgent dangers rather than distant threats (Gray, 2004). Additionally, living with uncertainty can create anxiety and stress which leads to hyperfocus on the present moment.