The science behind 'it won't happen to me'

‘Primal mechanism’

Adam Saville
clock • 1 min read

Our brains do their best to keep us from thinking about death, official research shows

It's official. People cannot help but think ‘It won't happen to me' when speaking about life insurance with an adviser. Scientific research has revealed that the human mind shuts down when forced to confront fears of our own demise, The Guardian has reported. Volunteers, as part of a study at Bar Ilan University, Israel, were shown images of faces while their brain activity was being monitored. When shown images of their own face alongside words such as ‘funeral' or ‘burial', the scientists spotted that their brain would block its ability to predict the next image; a sign of our refus...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Individual Protection

New online platform launches for care-related advice

New online platform launches for care-related advice

To meet Consumer Duty and vulnerability regulatory expectations

Isabel Baxter
clock 16 April 2024 • 2 min read
LV= pays out £135m on individual claims in 2023

LV= pays out £135m on individual claims in 2023

94% of claims paid out

Jaskeet Briah
clock 15 April 2024 • 3 min read
One in 10 adults would consider IP when having a child

One in 10 adults would consider IP when having a child

The Exeter research shows

Jaskeet Briah
clock 09 April 2024 • 2 min read