Ch. 6 Risks and Hazards

Question 1

Which of the following factors does NOT influence risk perception?

Answer 1

Not taking consequences into consideration

Question 2

In cultural theory, fatalists are likely to use _______ as a risk approach.

Answer 2

Adaptation to changes

Question 3

The more we advance technologically, the more uncertainties we face

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Which of the following statements is NOT true of cultural theory?

Answer 4

People always fit into only one of the four categories based on their personal views.

Question 5

Natural hazards are those in which there is no human presence or impact.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

Under cultural theory, which group would view nature as being resilient?

Answer 6

Individualists

Question 7

Environmental justice movements attempt to correct systemic inequalities that

Answer 7

force people to choose between unemployment and work hazards, limit people’s ability to make informed decisions, and lead to environmental degradation in poor neighborhoods

Question 8

Risk assessments are conducted for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT:

Answer 8

To find the source of the problem

Question 9

The _____ is the danger, ______ is the probability that the danger will occur, and ______ is the degree to which we do not know whether that danger will occur.

Answer 9

hazard, risk, uncertainty

Question 10

The degree to which the outcomes of a situation are unknown is called

Answer 10

Uncertainty

Question 11

Douglas and other cultural theorists suggest that our sense of hazards, risk, and uncertainty is

Answer 11

learned through socialization and culture

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a source of uncertainty?

Answer 12

Systems basically function the same everywhere

Question 13

Which of the following statements is NOT true regarding humans and hazards?

Answer 13

Hazards only exist where humans do not have some vested interest

Question 14

In a local casino, the poker dealer can choose whether to be exposed to cigarette smoke and keep his or her job, or not take the job.

Answer 14

Constraints on decisions

Question 15

The dangers of unprotected sex are well publicized on packages of contraceptives.

Answer 15

none of the other choices

Question 16

In Oregon, Ohio, the oil refinery is located adjacent to poorer communities that have little voice in the quality of emissions coming from the plant.

Answer 16

Control of decisions

Question 17

An asteroid is headed toward Earth. The government chooses not to let the public know because people will panic and make things worse.

Answer 17

Control of information

Question 18

Which of the following risk perception biases is likely to lead to an underestimation of risk?

Answer 18

Voluntary

Question 19

In cultural theory, egalitarians are likely to use _______ as a risk approach.

Answer 19

The precautionary principle

Question 20

A culture that espouses the precautionary principle is likely to:

Answer 20

Prefer to avoid certain activities until it is clear that they are safe

Question 21

Cultural theory argues that perception of risk is based on how we interact with others, rather than universal human traits or individual biases.

Answer 21

True

Question 22

You can see evidence that your sexual partner has an STD infection. How might this influence your perception of the risk of catching an STD?

Answer 22

Underestimate risk

Question 23

You learn that asbestos as been found at your workplace. You need this job and can’t quit right now. How would your knowledge of this influence your perception of the risk for going to work?

Answer 23

Overestimate risk

Question 24

One might think most car crashes are the result of poor drivers. Because you know you are an excellent driver, how would this influence your perception of risk in choosing to drive a car?

Answer 24

Underestimate risk

Question 25

You know of several, well publicized air plane crashes where no one walked away alive. How does this influence your perception of risk for airplane travel?

Answer 25

Overestimate risk

Question 26

People that smoke only get cancer or other diseases when they are much older it seems. How would this thinking affect your perception of risk for choosing to smoke?

Answer 26

Underestimate risk

Question 27

Under cultural theory, which group would view nature as being fragile?

Answer 27

Egalitarians

Question 28

Gilbert F. White argued that engineering technologies such as levees were the solution to flooding problems.

Answer 28

False

Question 29

Risk is defined as

Answer 29

the estimated likelihood that a decision or action will have a negative consequence.

Question 30

Gilbert F. White would suggest which of the following methods to control flooding on the Mississippi River

Answer 30

White would recommend a combination of all of the choices given in this question, since there is no way to eliminate risk by implementing just one of the options given.