Cross-Cultural Differences in Risk Perceptions of Disasters

Abstract

Public risk perceptions of mass disasters carry considerable influences, both psychologically and economically, despite their oft-times imprecise nature. Prior research has identified the presence of an optimistic bias that affects risk perception, but there is a dearth of literature examining how these perceptions differ among cultures-particularly with regard to mass disasters. The present study explores differences among Japanese, Argentinean, and North American mental health workers in their rates of the optimistic bias in risk perceptions as contrasted between natural disasters and terrorist events. The results indicate a significant difference among cultures in levels of perceived risk that do not correspond to actual exposure rates. Japanese groups had the highest risk perceptions for both types of hazards and North Americans and Argentineans had the lowest risk perceptions for terrorism. Additionally, participants across all cultures rated risk to self as lower than risk to others (optimistic bias) across all disaster types. These findings suggest that cultural factors may have a greater influence on risk perception than social exposure, and that the belief that one is more immune to disasters compared to others may be a cross-cultural phenomenon.

Optimistic Bias, Sexual Assault, and Fear

“…In this case, students exhibiting optimistic bias took fewer precautions against swine flu than did students who believed they were vulnerable. Other research findings confirm optimistic bias regarding a wide range of health risks, including sun tanning and cancer risks (Craciun, Shuz, Lippke, & Schwarzer, 2010), risky driving (Dean, 2010;Morisset, Terrade, & Somat, 2010), smoking (Burrows & Carlisle, 2010;Wagener, Gregor, Busch, McQuaid, & Borrelli, 2010), and natural disasters (Gierlach, Belsher, & Beutler, 2010;Weinstein, Lyon, Rothman, & Cuite, 2000).…”

Safety disconnect: Analysis of the role of labor experience and safety training on work safety perceptions

“…Perceived work safety is a highly subjective construct (Gierlach, Belsher & Beutler, 2010), and differences in safety-specific knowledge may explain variations in this variable. So can a person's involvement in the day-to-day operations of a business.…”

Augmenting Austrian flood management practices through geospatial predictive analytics: a study in Carinthia

“…The notion of culturally driven risk perception having influence on the application of the SRI is not implausible when cultural theory is considered. In order to gain a better understanding, Gierlach et al (2010) investigated this phenomenon with interesting results. They found that risk perception across cultures has little to do with exposure to a disaster and more to do with an optimistic bias or "not in my backyard" mentality generated by social construct (Emerging Health Threats Forum, 2008).…”