Pub Date : 2022-08-08DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2107050
Priyanka A. Naidu, A. Glendon, T. Hine
Abstract Being intrinsically associated with death-related themes (e.g. decay, destruction, lack of control, chaos), communicating climate change risks may elicit thoughts in an audience about their own mortality – potentially invoking terror management responses. This study examined individual differences in death-thought accessibility (DTA) amongst Australian university students (N = 241) after exposure to information about climate change impacts, to predict climate change risk perceptions. It was posited that information about the impacts of climate change would lead to worldview defence (a terror management strategy) via increasing death-related thoughts. Although climate change salience did not invoke DTA, there was evidence that choosing not to complete word-fragments in a death-related manner reflected a high death-defensive response, rather than low-DTA. Compared with a control condition, climate change salience participants’ risk perceptions shifted liberally. The function of death-related thoughts depended on the individual’s climate change beliefs. Climate-deniers with high-DTA in the climate change salience condition showed greater risk perceptions compared to those with high-DTA in the control condition. Risk perceptions did not change as a function of DTA amongst climate-acceptors. A general implication was that climate change communications, may not produce counterproductive terror management outcomes as has been previously hypothesized. Rather they may motivate more realistic attitudes, such as perceiving climate change as high-risk, even amongst climate-deniers. From a policy perspective, to maximise acceptance, climate change information may benefit from being presented within frameworks that support individuals’ important personal worldviews.
{"title":"Climate change risk and terror management theory","authors":"Priyanka A. Naidu, A. Glendon, T. Hine","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2107050","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2107050","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Being intrinsically associated with death-related themes (e.g. decay, destruction, lack of control, chaos), communicating climate change risks may elicit thoughts in an audience about their own mortality – potentially invoking terror management responses. This study examined individual differences in death-thought accessibility (DTA) amongst Australian university students (N = 241) after exposure to information about climate change impacts, to predict climate change risk perceptions. It was posited that information about the impacts of climate change would lead to worldview defence (a terror management strategy) via increasing death-related thoughts. Although climate change salience did not invoke DTA, there was evidence that choosing not to complete word-fragments in a death-related manner reflected a high death-defensive response, rather than low-DTA. Compared with a control condition, climate change salience participants’ risk perceptions shifted liberally. The function of death-related thoughts depended on the individual’s climate change beliefs. Climate-deniers with high-DTA in the climate change salience condition showed greater risk perceptions compared to those with high-DTA in the control condition. Risk perceptions did not change as a function of DTA amongst climate-acceptors. A general implication was that climate change communications, may not produce counterproductive terror management outcomes as has been previously hypothesized. Rather they may motivate more realistic attitudes, such as perceiving climate change as high-risk, even amongst climate-deniers. From a policy perspective, to maximise acceptance, climate change information may benefit from being presented within frameworks that support individuals’ important personal worldviews.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"26 1","pages":"19 - 36"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41995422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-08-08DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2107051
R. Szántó, Levente Dudás
Abstract A large group of people are receptive to COVID skeptic messages which can be linked to lower levels of perceived risk and uncompliant behavior. Using a survey instrument targeting young adults, which we repeated during the second and fourth waves of COVID-19, we explored how various psychological factors affect risk perception and to what degree can these be linked to COVID skepticism. Our results suggest that higher skepticism is very strongly associated with a lower risk perception. Skepticism also mediates the effects of well-known antecedents of risk perception, such as individualism, pro-social attitudes and trust in scientists. We found that contracting the virus is associated with increased risk perception and increased skepticism, which is contradictory, but understandable considering our sample composition. Among those who had a family member or a friend contracting the virus we observed higher levels of perceived risk and lower skepticism. The longitudinal nature of our research highlights that the influence of trust in scientists and government are dependent on the public discourse, which naturally develops over time. Differences in risk perception based on gender, which is well established in the literature and significant in our first sample, have diminished by the time of our second sample, suggesting this effect could be crowded out as people’s understanding grows and beliefs form about the virus. The findings emphasize the importance of assessing skepticism not only for researchers studying COVID related risk perception and its psychological predictors, but also for policy makers combating hazardous scenarios like the pandemic.
{"title":"COVID-19 skepticism and the perception of risk","authors":"R. Szántó, Levente Dudás","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2107051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2107051","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract A large group of people are receptive to COVID skeptic messages which can be linked to lower levels of perceived risk and uncompliant behavior. Using a survey instrument targeting young adults, which we repeated during the second and fourth waves of COVID-19, we explored how various psychological factors affect risk perception and to what degree can these be linked to COVID skepticism. Our results suggest that higher skepticism is very strongly associated with a lower risk perception. Skepticism also mediates the effects of well-known antecedents of risk perception, such as individualism, pro-social attitudes and trust in scientists. We found that contracting the virus is associated with increased risk perception and increased skepticism, which is contradictory, but understandable considering our sample composition. Among those who had a family member or a friend contracting the virus we observed higher levels of perceived risk and lower skepticism. The longitudinal nature of our research highlights that the influence of trust in scientists and government are dependent on the public discourse, which naturally develops over time. Differences in risk perception based on gender, which is well established in the literature and significant in our first sample, have diminished by the time of our second sample, suggesting this effect could be crowded out as people’s understanding grows and beliefs form about the virus. The findings emphasize the importance of assessing skepticism not only for researchers studying COVID related risk perception and its psychological predictors, but also for policy makers combating hazardous scenarios like the pandemic.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"25 1","pages":"1321 - 1336"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47404068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-28DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2091001
P. Ebert, I. Durbach
Abstract We investigate differences in perceived danger and recklessness judgements by experts (experienced skiers, ) and laypeople ( ) about participation in adventure sports across the same judgemental task using a third person perspective. We investigate the relationship between danger and recklessness and the extent to which fatality frequency, as well as other contextual factors such as gender, dependants, competence, and motivations of the sports participant affect expert and laypeople judgements respectively. Experienced skiers gave lower overall danger and recklessness ratings than non-skiers. Experienced skiers’ judgements were also more sensitive than non-skiers’ to variations in the fatality rate of the activity and the competence level of the participant, yet were less sensitive to whether the event was done for external benefit such as a charity. Recklessness judgements were overall more sensitive to changes in activity descriptions than danger judgements. Our findings support the emerging picture of adventure sports participants as rational and sensitive to risk-relevant features rather than somehow pathological in their risk perception.
{"title":"Expert and lay judgements of danger and recklessness in adventure sports","authors":"P. Ebert, I. Durbach","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2091001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2091001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract We investigate differences in perceived danger and recklessness judgements by experts (experienced skiers, ) and laypeople ( ) about participation in adventure sports across the same judgemental task using a third person perspective. We investigate the relationship between danger and recklessness and the extent to which fatality frequency, as well as other contextual factors such as gender, dependants, competence, and motivations of the sports participant affect expert and laypeople judgements respectively. Experienced skiers gave lower overall danger and recklessness ratings than non-skiers. Experienced skiers’ judgements were also more sensitive than non-skiers’ to variations in the fatality rate of the activity and the competence level of the participant, yet were less sensitive to whether the event was done for external benefit such as a charity. Recklessness judgements were overall more sensitive to changes in activity descriptions than danger judgements. Our findings support the emerging picture of adventure sports participants as rational and sensitive to risk-relevant features rather than somehow pathological in their risk perception.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"26 1","pages":"133 - 146"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43849295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-26DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2091002
Nicole D. Sintov, Kristin F. Hurst
Abstract Scholars have argued that trust acts as a decision-making heuristic, aiding people in assessing the risks of various technologies. This may be especially likely for social trust, or integrity (vs. calculative trust, or competence), and among people with limited experience with a given technology. The goal of this research is to provide an experimental test of the trust heuristic. In three experiments, which were identical except for the technology of focus (Study 1: autonomous vehicles, N = 1691; Study 2: nuclear power, N = 844; Study 3: airplane travel, N = 853), participants recruited from an online platform completed measures of trust, and then were randomly assigned to respond to measures of perceived risk in either a treatment (time pressure) or control condition. Competence and integrity were significantly negatively associated with risk perceptions. In Studies 1–2, the relationship between integrity (not competence) and risk was significantly stronger in the timed vs. untimed condition. However, Study 3, which focused on a context characterized by greater experience, did not find this effect. Results support the role of integrity, but not competence, as a decision-making heuristic, and suggest that greater levels of experience weaken the influence of integrity on risk.
{"title":"Experimental support for a trust heuristic","authors":"Nicole D. Sintov, Kristin F. Hurst","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2091002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2091002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Scholars have argued that trust acts as a decision-making heuristic, aiding people in assessing the risks of various technologies. This may be especially likely for social trust, or integrity (vs. calculative trust, or competence), and among people with limited experience with a given technology. The goal of this research is to provide an experimental test of the trust heuristic. In three experiments, which were identical except for the technology of focus (Study 1: autonomous vehicles, N = 1691; Study 2: nuclear power, N = 844; Study 3: airplane travel, N = 853), participants recruited from an online platform completed measures of trust, and then were randomly assigned to respond to measures of perceived risk in either a treatment (time pressure) or control condition. Competence and integrity were significantly negatively associated with risk perceptions. In Studies 1–2, the relationship between integrity (not competence) and risk was significantly stronger in the timed vs. untimed condition. However, Study 3, which focused on a context characterized by greater experience, did not find this effect. Results support the role of integrity, but not competence, as a decision-making heuristic, and suggest that greater levels of experience weaken the influence of integrity on risk.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"26 1","pages":"37 - 63"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45454086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-21DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2077412
J. Burger, M. Gochfeld
Abstract The United States and other countries have radiological and chemical legacy wastes remaining from World War II and the Cold War. Assessing risk to human health and the environment from contaminated sites requires inventorying wastes, and examining risks. We use five large U.S. Department of Energy sites to assess the kinds and temporal patterns of indicators used to evaluate ecological resources. Our objective was to determine if there is consistency in types of indicators monitored, whether there are temporal data sets, and how eco-cultural indicators are used. For our assessment, we examined the sites’ Annual Environmental Reports that are meant to inform regulators, stakeholders, resource trustees and the public of their environmental performance in reducing risk and protecting humans and the environment. We present tables of ecological and eco-cultural indicators (and temporal trends) for each site, including contaminant levels in listed species, contaminant levels in consumed species, population levels of endangered/threatened species, biodiversity in communities, and information on invasive species. There is consistency in types of ecological and eco-cultural indicators selected among sites, but the specific indicators differ and are often site-specific. There are temporal patterns for species that serve an ecological and eco-cultural function, and that provide information on risk to eco-receptors and humans. There are fewer cultural indicators, and no temporal trends data for them. The data can be used to improve indicator use and monitoring across the DOE complex, and provide models for assessment of risk to ecological and eco-cultural resources at other contaminated sites. Being able to assess relative risk among sites provides managers, regulators, and the public with information to aid in prioritization of remediation tasks, as well as assessing whether remediation and restoration have reduced risks to ecological receptors and human consumers, and achieved the continued protection of ecological and eco-cultural resources on these sites. It also provides a model to prioritize funds and projects among preserves, national forests and wildlife refuges, and other protected lands. The first step is determining current indicators and commonalities among sites, which will allow managers, public policymakers, and the public to make science-based, adaptive management decisions.
{"title":"Consistency and local adaptation in use of ecological and eco-cultural indicators: assessing risk from contamination","authors":"J. Burger, M. Gochfeld","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2077412","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2077412","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The United States and other countries have radiological and chemical legacy wastes remaining from World War II and the Cold War. Assessing risk to human health and the environment from contaminated sites requires inventorying wastes, and examining risks. We use five large U.S. Department of Energy sites to assess the kinds and temporal patterns of indicators used to evaluate ecological resources. Our objective was to determine if there is consistency in types of indicators monitored, whether there are temporal data sets, and how eco-cultural indicators are used. For our assessment, we examined the sites’ Annual Environmental Reports that are meant to inform regulators, stakeholders, resource trustees and the public of their environmental performance in reducing risk and protecting humans and the environment. We present tables of ecological and eco-cultural indicators (and temporal trends) for each site, including contaminant levels in listed species, contaminant levels in consumed species, population levels of endangered/threatened species, biodiversity in communities, and information on invasive species. There is consistency in types of ecological and eco-cultural indicators selected among sites, but the specific indicators differ and are often site-specific. There are temporal patterns for species that serve an ecological and eco-cultural function, and that provide information on risk to eco-receptors and humans. There are fewer cultural indicators, and no temporal trends data for them. The data can be used to improve indicator use and monitoring across the DOE complex, and provide models for assessment of risk to ecological and eco-cultural resources at other contaminated sites. Being able to assess relative risk among sites provides managers, regulators, and the public with information to aid in prioritization of remediation tasks, as well as assessing whether remediation and restoration have reduced risks to ecological receptors and human consumers, and achieved the continued protection of ecological and eco-cultural resources on these sites. It also provides a model to prioritize funds and projects among preserves, national forests and wildlife refuges, and other protected lands. The first step is determining current indicators and commonalities among sites, which will allow managers, public policymakers, and the public to make science-based, adaptive management decisions.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"25 1","pages":"911 - 939"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-06-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48764940","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-24DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2077411
T. Swanson, J. Zelner, S. Guikema
Abstract Machine learning methods offer opportunities improve pandemic response and risk management by supplementing mechanistic modeling approaches to pandemic planning and response based on diverse sources of data at every level from the local to global scale. However, such solutions rely on the availability of appropriate data as well as communication and dissemination of that data to develop tools and guidance for decision making. A lack of consistency in the reporting and availability of disaggregated, detailed data on COVID-19 in the US has limited the application of artificial intelligence methods and the effectiveness of those methods for projecting the spread and subsequent impacts of this disease in communities. These limitations are missed opportunities for AI methods to make a positive contribution, and they introduce the possibility of inappropriate use of AI methods when not acknowledged. Going forward, governing bodies should develop data collection and sharing standards in collaboration with AI researchers and industry experts to facilitate preparedness for pandemics and other disasters in the future.
{"title":"COVID-19 has illuminated the need for clearer AI-based risk management strategies","authors":"T. Swanson, J. Zelner, S. Guikema","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2077411","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2077411","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Machine learning methods offer opportunities improve pandemic response and risk management by supplementing mechanistic modeling approaches to pandemic planning and response based on diverse sources of data at every level from the local to global scale. However, such solutions rely on the availability of appropriate data as well as communication and dissemination of that data to develop tools and guidance for decision making. A lack of consistency in the reporting and availability of disaggregated, detailed data on COVID-19 in the US has limited the application of artificial intelligence methods and the effectiveness of those methods for projecting the spread and subsequent impacts of this disease in communities. These limitations are missed opportunities for AI methods to make a positive contribution, and they introduce the possibility of inappropriate use of AI methods when not acknowledged. Going forward, governing bodies should develop data collection and sharing standards in collaboration with AI researchers and industry experts to facilitate preparedness for pandemics and other disasters in the future.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"25 1","pages":"1223 - 1238"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48868042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-24DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2077413
Christopher D. Wirz, D. Brossard, Katherine J Curtis, P. Block
Abstract In this qualitative study, we analyze the experiences of those living in flood-prone economically constrained communities by exploring relocation, risk perceptions, and communication in the context of extreme seasonal flood disasters. Our study included semi-structured interviews with residents in three communities and unstructured interviews with local experts in Iquitos, Peru. Our results suggest that strategic communication plans and interventions for flood-prone communities should emphasize economic opportunities, rather than trying to emphasize flood risks, since the economic domain appears to be more salient for individuals living in these communities. Conversely, communication in relocated communities, should emphasize safety and overall quality of life, but also consider the economic stresses people face. Ultimately, communication and relief efforts related to addressing problems associated with disasters should start with an understanding of the experiences, perceptions, and communication practices of the communities they are assisting.
{"title":"The risk of relocation: risk perceptions and communication surrounding the tradeoffs between floods and economic opportunities in Iquitos, Peru","authors":"Christopher D. Wirz, D. Brossard, Katherine J Curtis, P. Block","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2077413","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2077413","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this qualitative study, we analyze the experiences of those living in flood-prone economically constrained communities by exploring relocation, risk perceptions, and communication in the context of extreme seasonal flood disasters. Our study included semi-structured interviews with residents in three communities and unstructured interviews with local experts in Iquitos, Peru. Our results suggest that strategic communication plans and interventions for flood-prone communities should emphasize economic opportunities, rather than trying to emphasize flood risks, since the economic domain appears to be more salient for individuals living in these communities. Conversely, communication in relocated communities, should emphasize safety and overall quality of life, but also consider the economic stresses people face. Ultimately, communication and relief efforts related to addressing problems associated with disasters should start with an understanding of the experiences, perceptions, and communication practices of the communities they are assisting.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"26 1","pages":"97 - 112"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46458972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-23DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2077416
Øyvind Ihlen, S. Just, Jens E. Kjeldsen, Ragnhild Mølster, T. Offerdal, Joel Rasmussen, E. Skogerbø
Abstract The concept of transparency has been problematized in risk research. This exploratory study contributes to the risk literature by considering an established three-dimensional transparency framework (information substantiality, accountability, and participation) and discussing the opportunities for and challenges to risk communication in relation to the framework. Furthermore, we examine the strategies of Scandinavian health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the different levels of public trust in these authorities. In general, Norwegian authorities received higher levels of trust than their Swedish and Danish counterparts. We argue that this was partly due to differences in transparency management. Our findings support the importance of the three transparency dimensions and indicate that transparency regarding uncertainties positively impacts levels of trust.
{"title":"Transparency beyond information disclosure: strategies of the Scandinavian public health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic","authors":"Øyvind Ihlen, S. Just, Jens E. Kjeldsen, Ragnhild Mølster, T. Offerdal, Joel Rasmussen, E. Skogerbø","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2077416","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2077416","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The concept of transparency has been problematized in risk research. This exploratory study contributes to the risk literature by considering an established three-dimensional transparency framework (information substantiality, accountability, and participation) and discussing the opportunities for and challenges to risk communication in relation to the framework. Furthermore, we examine the strategies of Scandinavian health authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and the different levels of public trust in these authorities. In general, Norwegian authorities received higher levels of trust than their Swedish and Danish counterparts. We argue that this was partly due to differences in transparency management. Our findings support the importance of the three transparency dimensions and indicate that transparency regarding uncertainties positively impacts levels of trust.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"25 1","pages":"1176 - 1189"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-05-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48706058","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-19DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2077414
M. Thomas, Stefan Kaufman, C. Klemm, B. Hutchins
Abstract Environmental health emergencies, such as smoke events from bushfires and chemical fires, present a significant threat to human health. Risk communication is a key aspect of the public health response. However, recurring public criticism of government communication during these emergencies indicates that communication practice is not yet adequate. Improving communication requires a deeper understanding of risk communication practice. Despite extensive risk communication research, knowledge of government practice of risk communication is limited. This article focuses on an aspect of practice that deserves greater attention: the interconnectedness of practice with context (including social, political, institutional and event-specific contexts). Qualitative interviews gathered insights into practice from the practitioners tasked with communicating during smoke events, and thematic analysis drew on our conceptualisation of the relationship between context and practice for government risk communication. Our analysis shows that government risk communication practice and context co-evolve over time: crisis incidents emerge from inadequate practice during complex and unique smoke event; shifting social and political contexts increase expectations of practice; and adaptive institutional contexts change practice. Communication practice is observed to improve as a result of this co-evolution. The relationship between context and practice is commonly viewed as one-way (i.e. context influencing practice). However, this view underplays the influence of practice on context. Our analysis identifies the active role of practice in influencing the context in which future practice occurs. Suggestions for practice and academic research are made.
{"title":"The co-evolution of government risk communication practice and context for environmental health emergencies","authors":"M. Thomas, Stefan Kaufman, C. Klemm, B. Hutchins","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2077414","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2077414","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Environmental health emergencies, such as smoke events from bushfires and chemical fires, present a significant threat to human health. Risk communication is a key aspect of the public health response. However, recurring public criticism of government communication during these emergencies indicates that communication practice is not yet adequate. Improving communication requires a deeper understanding of risk communication practice. Despite extensive risk communication research, knowledge of government practice of risk communication is limited. This article focuses on an aspect of practice that deserves greater attention: the interconnectedness of practice with context (including social, political, institutional and event-specific contexts). Qualitative interviews gathered insights into practice from the practitioners tasked with communicating during smoke events, and thematic analysis drew on our conceptualisation of the relationship between context and practice for government risk communication. Our analysis shows that government risk communication practice and context co-evolve over time: crisis incidents emerge from inadequate practice during complex and unique smoke event; shifting social and political contexts increase expectations of practice; and adaptive institutional contexts change practice. Communication practice is observed to improve as a result of this co-evolution. The relationship between context and practice is commonly viewed as one-way (i.e. context influencing practice). However, this view underplays the influence of practice on context. Our analysis identifies the active role of practice in influencing the context in which future practice occurs. Suggestions for practice and academic research are made.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"26 1","pages":"83 - 96"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42097577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-05-01DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2022.2067892
Markku Lehtonen, A. Prades, Josep Espluga, S. Arapostathis
Abstract Trust is essential for successful participatory policymaking in high-risk industries, such as nuclear energy and radioactive waste management. However, while efforts at building trust are omnipresent in policy practice, the downsides of excessive trust and the potential virtues of mistrust and distrust are poorly recognised by practitioners, and remain under-researched in social science scholarship. This special issue contributes to filling the research gap by presenting a unique collection of articles transnational, comparative and historical analysis of trust, mistrust, and distrust in empirical cases of past and present nuclear energy and radioactive waste management projects across Europe. This introduction presents a shared conceptual framework for the articles of the special issue, built on two distinctions: 1) the three key concepts of trust, mistrust, and distrust, and 2) the three dimensions – social, institutional, and ideological – that cut across those three key concepts. A number of tasks for future research are identified. These include more fine-grained and context-sensitive analysis that would help operationalise concepts such as prudent scepticism and mistrustful civic vigilance in real-world situations; better understanding of when constructive mistrust might turn into dysfunctional distrust; the dynamics of trust, mistrust, and distrust in non-democratic societies; and the interaction between interpersonal, institutional, and ideological dimensions of trust, mistrust, and distrust. Finally, more conceptual and empirical work is needed to integrate and operationalise the principle of mistrustful vigilance in existing social science research on techno-scientific promises and expectations, in an effort at developing new ‘regimes of promise’, better in tune with the current era of apocalyptic threats and ambiguous perceptions concerning the risks and blessings of techno-science.
{"title":"Introduction to the special issue “Trust, mistrust, distrust, and trust-building in the nuclear sector: historical and comparative experience from Europe”","authors":"Markku Lehtonen, A. Prades, Josep Espluga, S. Arapostathis","doi":"10.1080/13669877.2022.2067892","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/13669877.2022.2067892","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Trust is essential for successful participatory policymaking in high-risk industries, such as nuclear energy and radioactive waste management. However, while efforts at building trust are omnipresent in policy practice, the downsides of excessive trust and the potential virtues of mistrust and distrust are poorly recognised by practitioners, and remain under-researched in social science scholarship. This special issue contributes to filling the research gap by presenting a unique collection of articles transnational, comparative and historical analysis of trust, mistrust, and distrust in empirical cases of past and present nuclear energy and radioactive waste management projects across Europe. This introduction presents a shared conceptual framework for the articles of the special issue, built on two distinctions: 1) the three key concepts of trust, mistrust, and distrust, and 2) the three dimensions – social, institutional, and ideological – that cut across those three key concepts. A number of tasks for future research are identified. These include more fine-grained and context-sensitive analysis that would help operationalise concepts such as prudent scepticism and mistrustful civic vigilance in real-world situations; better understanding of when constructive mistrust might turn into dysfunctional distrust; the dynamics of trust, mistrust, and distrust in non-democratic societies; and the interaction between interpersonal, institutional, and ideological dimensions of trust, mistrust, and distrust. Finally, more conceptual and empirical work is needed to integrate and operationalise the principle of mistrustful vigilance in existing social science research on techno-scientific promises and expectations, in an effort at developing new ‘regimes of promise’, better in tune with the current era of apocalyptic threats and ambiguous perceptions concerning the risks and blessings of techno-science.","PeriodicalId":16975,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Risk Research","volume":"25 1","pages":"547 - 561"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45560186","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}