The South Korean Fan Death Mystery

The South Korean Fan Death Mystery

imageDr Long’s New book “REAL RISK – Human Discerning and Risk” is packed with interesting little stories and anecdotes.

The idea that humans assess risk objectively, or
just calculate risk based on some common criteria in a risk matrix (exposure, frequency, probability and consequence), is not supported by the evidence. It is often after the event that we articulate some rational explanation for our choice or risk ranking, but in reality that is not why we chose to undertake that task or take that risk in the first place.

One example of subjective risk attribution, that I hadn’t heard but was totally intrigued by, is the genuine belief by South Koreans that fans left on overnight are very likely to kill you!

Nobody is saying that Koreans are dumb in their beliefs, but they behave as expected, and defend their beliefs, when knowledge presented and unquestioned throughout their life is challenged and said to be wrong.

Also, if you approach a Korean about this issue, their first instinct is to defend their culture to foreigners even though they may not agree with the belief themselves.  But, even if you do convince a Korean that fan death is not true, it would be really hard for you to get them to actually  overcome the deep subconscious fear and actually sleep in a sealed room with a fan on.  They have been very well trained by the media, the government and their parents avoid the risk.

From Chapter 1 of the book (download a free copy here)

A good example of just how risk is aggravated, yet not connected to reality or scientific evidence, is illustrated in a study of the fear of fans in South Korea or what is known as ‘fan death’ myth.

It is a widely held belief in South Korea that a fan left on overnight in a closed room can kill you. This is why all fans in South Korea must be fitted with a timer

Many scientific tests have proven that the risks associated with electric fans are not real but, due to cognitive dissonance, the evidence is not believed. To make matters worse, the South Korean Consumer Protection Board (KCPB) has issued the following warning:


Dr Rob Long

Dr Rob Long

Expert in Social Psychology, Principal & Trainer at Human Dymensions
Dr Rob Long

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