RISK PERCEPTION

Compare and Contrast the technical and cultural models of risk management

-Technical Model usually a one-way communication. The three objectives are to inform local communities of an environmental or health hazard, help change risky behavior, and to assure those exposed to a perceived hazard that the risk is acceptable. -Cultural Model more collaborative in regards on communication and the risk knowledge is based on science plus cultural knowledge and experience. The three objectives are to inform people by recognizing social contexts of meaning, change risky behavior when in the interests of affected groups, and to involve the affected groups in judgements of acceptable and unacceptable risks

Describe 4 factors that influence risk perception

1. Scale of risk (personal vs. social) 2. Choice (voluntary vs. non) 3. Awareness (familiar vs. exotic) 4. Origin (natural vs. technological)

Use an example from class to explain how media coverage of a wildlife attack could reduce public risk perceptions associated with wildlife

2002 fatal black bear attack in New York causing the death of infant so bear was found and killed. The media covered the story on a national level. A pre-incident mail survey found that 81% of people believed that risk of black bear attack in New York is acceptably low. Media coverage raised awareness of black bears but also reinforced belief that attacks by black bears are low

Would a fatal mountain lion attack or fatal deer-vehicle collision have more signal potential? Why?

A fatal mountain lion attack, due to the unfamiliar aspect associated with attacks from mountain lions.

Risk masked by natural occurrences

Cancer from environmental contaiminants

High probability and familiar

DVC

Define risk signal potential

Degree of potential social impact of the risk

Explain how discounting future impacts may bias risk assessment processes associated with using prescribed fire to manage wildlife habitat

Discounting future impacts when assessing risk means that you miss some of the risk. In prescribed fire example, the missed risk is the effect of a wildfire happening even though no fire was prescribed. The risk of an unexpected wildfire is greater than that of an escaped prescribed fire. Being near-sighted promotes lack of prescribed fire, but when the entire issue is understood, prescribed fire is promoted

Low probability and large consequence

Earthquake

When two people agree on the degree of risk associated with an activity they also agree on its acceptability (T/F)

False

Explain how feeling less responsible for consequences on inaction may bias risk assessment processes associated with using prescribed fire to manage wildlife habitat

Feel more connected to actions and effects when you are responsible for them (positive or negative). This is similar to the reason people are more wary of non-voluntary situations. Managers may feel more responsible if their action (prescribed fire) fails, then if their inaction (no prescribed fire) causes a negative effect (wildfire). Additionally, the public may be more likely to quickly pass blame on failed action than on the consequences of inaction, which are not obvious.

Define risk perception

Judgements people make when characterizing and evaluating hazardous activities and technologies

Very low probability and very large consequence

Meteor Strike

Explain how stronger reactions to losses than gains may bias risk assessment processes associated with using prescribed fire to manage wildlife habitat

More people associated wildlife fires with examples such as the believed to be permanent "loss" of Yellowstone or California Wildfires destroying homes and lives. Therefore affecting the way people perceive fires to a feeling of less responsible for consequences of in action. Meaning that they would rather have no action vs. a prescribed fire that got out of control and caused damage.

Are voluntary or non-voluntary risks seen as more risk, all other things being equal?

Non-voluntary, because if a person takes on a risk voluntarily with knowledge of it, they feel less impacted by any negative outcomes. When people are forced to assume risk without their consent the effects of the risk are amplified

Define risk in both cultural and scientific ways

Scientifically: the exact probability that something will occur (statistically, driving is more risky than flying) Culturally: (likelihood)*(severity)*(freak out factor[outrage]) Includes a dynamic risk perception variable

Rank the following risks from 1 to 3 in terms of unknown and dread: chronic wasting disease, wolf attack, deer vehicle collision

Unknown: (least) DVC, wolf attack, CWD (most) Dread: (least) CWD, DVC, wolf attack (most)

An example of the cultural model of risk management would be:

a. Translating "Not Fishing" signs into spanish and including pictures

Using Slovic's work as a framework, because we are not sure what they consequences of climate change will be, we would classify it as:

d. Unknown risk