The Unbearable Darkness of Being and a Toolkit for How We Forge It: Comparative Biases

Abstract Many areas of science deal with “appropriate” behaviors, estimations, and feelings. In this chapter we will describe several different concepts in (social) psychology focusing on inappropriate, misleading, inaccurate estimations (e.g., totalitarian ego, distortions memories; illusion control uncontrollable situations; illusions well-being, inflated self-worth; egotism). Our main interests are two detail: better than average (inflated confidence one’s own worth) unrealistic optimism (the expectation that positive events happen to us while negative others). These theories especially interesting due the fact employ them during great threats moments crisis. a later chapter, present these as crucial factors dealing COVID-19 pandemic.