Support, opposition, emotion and contentious issue risk perception

Abstract

Purpose – Research on emotion in the context of risk perception has historically focused on negative emotions, and has emphasized the effect of these negative emotions on the perception of risk amongst those who oppose (rather than support) contentious issues. Drawing on theory, the purpose of this paper is to hypothesize that both positive and negative emotions are correlated with risk perceptions regarding contentious public issues and that this occurs amongst supporters and opponents alike. Design/methodology/approach – The paper explores the relationship between emotions and perceived risk through consideration of the highly contentious case of nuclear energy in Saskatchewan, Canada. The analysis uses data from a representative telephone survey of 1,355 residents. Findings – The results suggest that positive emotions, like negative emotions, are related to nuclear energy risk perceptions. Emotions are related to risk perception amongst both supporters and opponents. Research limitations/implications – The data set’s limited number of emotion measures and single public issue focus, combined with the survey’s cross-sectional design, make this research exploratory in nature. Future research should incorporate multiple positive emotions, explore opposition, and support across a range of contentious public issues, and consider experimental models to assess causal relationships. Practical implications – The paper offers insights into how public sector managers must be cognizant of the emotional underpinnings of risk perceptions amongst both supporters and opponents of contentious public issues. Originality/value – This paper builds on and expands previous work by considering both positive and negative emotions and both supporters and opponents of contentious issues.

Influence of Environmental Values on the Typhoon Risk Perceptions of High School Students: A Case Study in Ningbo, China

“…A strong correlation may exist between environmental values and public perception of climate change risk events, risk sources, and risk consequences [29,57]. Other scholars have confirmed that emotional factors affect public perception toward various environmental risks, including nuclear energy, nuclear waste, and global warming [54,55]. Environmental risk perception is affected by emotions related to environmental perception and by irrelevant emotions and implicit associations.…”

“…Scholars have conducted many studies on environmental values, which play certain roles in specific situations [53][54][55]. When individuals face certain situations, their altruistic concerns are triggered.…”

Subjectivity in megaprojects: a support strategy for social risk measurement processes

“…Saber lidar com as predisposições, no entanto, consiste em fazer com que deixem de funcionar como fonte de desvios e ilusões conducentes a erros sistemáticos. (Freitas, 2013, p. 242) As emoções, o conhecimento, a confiança e as visões de mundo determinam a percepção e influenciam a avaliação de riscos tanto quanto fatores cognitivos, lógicos ou estatísticos (Pachur et al, 2012;Siegrist & Sütterlin, 2014;Bourassa et al, 2016). Exemplo disso é a heurística da disponibilidade que consiste na predisposição em indicar a frequência ou a probabilidade de um evento baseando-se na disponibilidade mental de casos relevantes do indivíduo, como experiências próprias ou de pessoas próximas (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974;Hillson & Murray-Webster, 2007).…”

“…Outro ponto de aproximação entre as entrevistas e a literatura indica que fatores emocionais como confiança e visões de mundo são determinantes para a percepção de riscos tanto quanto os fatores cognitivos ou as análises estatísticas (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974, Pachur et al, 2012Siegrist & Sütterlin, 2014;Bourassa et al, 2016).…”

“…Indicada tímida e superficialmente na literatura acadêmica (Pachur et al, 2012;Siegrist & Sütterlin, 2014;Bourassa et al, 2016) como uma interferência na avaliação, a necessidade de conhecimento sobre os riscos sociais e sobre o processo de riscos na pesquisa empírica fora evocada repetidamente pelos respondentes e sob diversas formas, principalmente na fase de planejamento da reunião de avaliação de riscos.…”