More than half would rather avoid uncertain outcomes

Jun 25–30, 2025 · n = 510 · MoE ±5.3%Source report ↗

Core finding

Most Americans favor certainty over the unknown: 55% disagree that they prefer situations with uncertain outcomes over certain ones, including 15% who strongly disagree.

Only 16% agree they favor uncertainty, and 28% neither agree nor disagree, according to a Verasight survey of 510 U.S. adults conducted June 25-30, 2025.

Topline scale

More than half would rather avoid uncertain outcomes.

Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: I prefer situations in which outcomes are uncertain rather than certain.

Neither Agree nor Disagree
28.4%
Disagree
24.9%
Strongly Disagree
15.2%
Somewhat Disagree
15.1%
Somewhat Agree
8.6%
Agree
6.4%
Strongly Agree
1.4%

n = 510 · Jun 25–30, 2025 · MoE ±5.3%

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUS adults age 18+
Field datesJun 25–30, 2025
Base (unweighted)510
Margin of error±5.3%
ModuleICA Conference Omnibus Survey #2025-058
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with the following statement: I prefer situations in which outcomes are uncertain rather than certain.

    verasight-ica-2025.tiiny.co

Cite this question

ICA Conference Omnibus Survey #2025-058, fielded June 25-30, 2025, N=510 US adults age 18+, +/- 5.3%.