Can 'normalisation of deviance' help to explain a catastrophe?Can 'normalisation of deviance' help to explain a catastrophe?
All In The Mind
40 years ago, NASA experienced one of its most devastating disasters. The Challenger space shuttle disintegrated just 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members. How had this happened? And did the culture of NASA have anything to do with it? In this episode, we dig into a concept called 'normalisation of deviance', which has been touted as an explanation for this incident, as well as the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster and a clinical drug trial that left six people in intensive care. So what is 'normalisation of deviance'? How does it happen? And given its potential for harm, is there anything we can do to prevent it? If you enjoyed this episode, check out the latest season of Science Friction, The Challenger Disaster (which is also produced by our senior producer James Bullen!) Guests: Dr Nejc Sedlar Lecturer, University of Aberdeen Professor Sidney Dekker Professor, Griffith University Credits: Presenter: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Additional reporting/production: Fiona Pepper Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Roi Huberman You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts. More information: A qualitative systematic review on the application of the normalization of deviance phenomenon within high-risk industries. Sidney Dekker — Drift into Failure. Challenger: the disaster five people saw coming. The Challenger Legacy — Science Friction. Has NASA learned anything from the Challenger disaster? When to trust your gut instinct, and when to ignore it A deviation from standard design? Clinical trials, research ethics committees, and the regulatory co-construction of organizational deviance
34:37•14 Feb 2026
The Hidden Risks Behind Normalisation of Deviance
Episode Overview
- Normalisation of deviance can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
- Human psychology plays a crucial role in organisational failures.
- Listening to intuition can help prevent disasters.
- Organisational culture impacts safety and risk management.
- 'Drift into failure' explains gradual acceptance of risky behaviours.
“"You are not aware of it happening, and that is where the big danger of normalisation of deviance really lies."”
How do individuals turn their lives around after addiction? This episode of 'All In The Mind' dives into the concept of 'normalisation of deviance' to explain catastrophic events, like the Challenger space shuttle disaster. With gripping insights from experts like Dr. Nate Sedlar and Professor Sidney Decker, the episode explores how seemingly minor deviations from the norm can snowball into major failures in high-risk industries.
Whether it's the erosion of the O-rings in Challenger or the foam strikes on Columbia, these incidents highlight how organisational culture and human psychology can contribute to disaster. Dr. Sedlar breaks down how 'normalisation of deviance' occurs, especially in complex systems like healthcare and spaceflight, where cutting corners can become routine. Professor Decker adds depth by discussing 'drift into failure,' a concept that explains how small, rational decisions can lead to catastrophic outcomes over time.
Their discussions reveal that it's not just about mechanical failures but also about the culture that allows such deviations to become normalised. The episode doesn't just focus on the past; it also offers practical advice for preventing future disasters. By staying sceptical of success and listening to intuition, organisations can mitigate risks. This isn't just a lesson for NASA but for any industry where safety is paramount. Curious about how these concepts apply to everyday life?
Tune in to hear how they relate to everything from clinical drug trials to firefighting practices. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the human factors behind technological failures.
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