Information avoidance is a phenomenon in which individuals deliberately avoid acquiring information that they believe may be unpleasant or difficult to deal with. This behavior is often seen as a form of self-protection, as people may avoid acquiring information that they believe may be emotionally challenging or that may lead to difficult decisions. In the context of behavioral economics, information avoidance can have important implications for decision-making, as individuals may make choices without considering all of the relevant information, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Information avoidance can also have negative social consequences, as it can lead to a lack of transparency and accountability.