Risk thermostat

Question 1

What is risk compensation according to Adams (2013)?

Answer 1

The tendency for individuals to adjust their behavior in response to perceived changes in risk, often in a way that may offset the benefits of risk reduction measures.
- Influenced by their perception of risk, which is shaped by perceptual filters. These filters can be influenced by a variety of factors, including past experiences, cultural background, and social networks

Question 2

What is the risk thermostat model?

Answer 2

We all monitor our environment for signs of safety and danger and adjust our behaviour in response to what we observe.
- The setting of the thermostat varies from one individual to another, from one group to another, from one culture to another, and for all of these, over time.
- Your risk assessment is connected with other peoples risk assessment
- Risk thermostat visual: Not about reducing risks to zero, but we want to have manageable risk and taking into account people often want risks

Question 3

What are the three types of risk?

Answer 3

1. Imposed risks: refer to risks that are imposed on individuals by external factors or events beyond their control.
   - Often sudden and unexpected, and individuals have little control over their occurrence or severity.
2. Voluntary risks: refer to risks that individuals choose to take on voluntarily.
   - Believe that the benefits outweigh the risks.
3. Impersonal risks refer to risks that are imposed on individuals by societal or environmental factors, rather than by specific events or actions.
   - Are often slow and gradual, and individuals may not be aware of their exposure or the associated risks.

Question 4

What are four beliefs/types of people in dealing/viewing risk according to Adams (2013) and what is their relation to the paradigms?

Answer 4

o Fatalist: Nature does whatever it does and you have no control over it. What happens happens. – Related to complexity paradigm
o Hierarchist: You can control nature when there is top-down rules and regulations, technologies. – Related to technofix paradigm
o Individualist: Think that risks is safe and what live is about. Nature will go with the flow and when you embrace live your environment will move with you and you can live with risks. – Related to behavioral paradigm
o Egalitarian: Nature is fragile and can easily go wrong. Protective of nature. Focused on living with nature and hazards. – Related to vulnerability paradigm