Abstract. This present research attempts to highlight some causes that have led to the current crisis, the role and importance of signals in anticipating events that characterize a situation of crisis, the need for interpreting these signals not only based on the economic theory but also on interdisciplinary methods and theories. The threats that may occur in situations of crisis should be identified properly, as well as opportunities, in order that the measures that are to be taken at macroeconomic level could be imbedded in the economic policies so as to contribute to improving the macroeconomic decisions and to successfully achieve the objectives already set.

Keywords: crisis; risk; opportunity; cognitive dissonance; economic policies.