Risk Perception

Question 1

Because we are not sure what the consequences of climate change will be, we could
classify it as:
a) Dread risk
b) Social risk
c) Exotic risk
d) Unknown risk

Answer 1

D-unknown risk

Question 2

An example of the cultural model of risk management would be:
a) Translating “No Fishing” signs into Spanish and including pictures.
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b) Hold a community meeting to discuss the health hazards associated with consuming fish
caught out of Crabtree Creek.
c) Diversifying modes of communication (public safety announcements, websites,
newspaper ads, flyers) to educate the public about dangers of fish consumption.

Answer 2

D-all of the above

Question 3

Define risk in both cultural and scientific ways

Answer 3

Cultural involves affected public in assessing risk and designing risk communication campaigns. Scientific is usually a one way communication from experts to laypeople

Question 4

Define risk perception

Answer 4

Judgments people make when characterizing or evaluation hazardous activities and technologies

Question 5

Describe four factors that influence risk perception

Answer 5

• Scale of risk: personal or social
• Choice:voluntary or non-voluntary
• Awareness: familiar or exotic
• Origin: Natural or technoligical

Question 6

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

Answer 6

No, non-voluntary seem riskier

Question 7

Define risk signal potential?

Answer 7

Degree of potential social impact

Question 8

Compare and contrast the technical and cultural models of risk management (specifically
address how their three objectives differ). Remember an example will help you articulate
your explanations.

Answer 8

The objectives of technical models are translate and inform, change risky behavior, and assure concerned groups
The objectives of the cultural model is inform by recognizing social contexts of meaning, change risky behavior when in interest of affected group, involve affected groups in judgments of acceptable and unacceptable risk

Question 9

Would a fatal mountain lion attack or fatal (to the human) deer-vehicle collision have
more signal potential? Why?

Answer 9

A fatal mountain lion attack would have a greater signal potential due to it being less common.

Question 10

Give an example for each risk category: high probability and familiar, low probability and large
consequences, very low probability and very large consequences, and masked by natural
occurrences.

Answer 10

• high probability and familiar: deer/vehicle collisions
• low probability and large consequences: black bear related fatality
• very low probability and very large consequences: mountain lion attacks
• masked by natural occurrences: ?

Question 11

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

Answer 11

False