Improving Risk Communication - Part 1
Dr. Betty Morrow, SocResearch Miami
Improving Risk Communication
The Project
Who studies risk?
Risk is a complex concept that is difficult to communicate in ways that are convincing
Concepts of risk is a social construction
Knowledge is important, but we weigh evidence gained from experience over knowledge
Perception is everything
Several theories attempt to explain how risk perceptions are developed
Decisions made about risk are largely insensitive to changes in probability
Risk assessment is about competing social and subjective rationalities
Fear may not reflect object reality as defined by experts
What makes risk unacceptable?
