The Social Amplification of Risk: Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Applications

Renn, Ortwin; Burns, William J.; Kasperson, Jeanne X.; Kasperson, Roger E.; Slovic, Paul

doi:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1992.tb01949.x

Cited by 433 publications

(306 citation statements)

References 26 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…Furthermore, it is suggested that this is due in part to the manipulation of public opinion by campaigning groups and amplification by the media. 10 Hence, a widely proposed and supported solution is the dissemination of accurate risk information by credible and trustworthy sources. This explanation of opposition to agri-food biotechnologies has framed many expert debates and policy initiatives.…”

Section: Biotechnology and The Public Perception Of Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

GM foods and the misperception of risk perception

Gaskell

Allum²,

Wagner³

et al. 2004

ITA - Elektronische Publikationen

105

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Public opposition to genetically modified (GM) food and crops is widely interpreted as the result of the public's misperception of the risks. With scientific assessment pointing to no unique risks from GM crops and foods, a strategy of accurate risk communication from trusted sources has been advocated. This is based on the assumption that the benefits of GM crops and foods are self-evident. Informed by the interpretation of some qualitative interviews with lay people, we use data from the Eurobarometer survey on biotechnology to explore the hypothesis that it is not so much the perception of risks as the absence of benefits that is the basis of the widespread rejection of GM foods and crops by the European public. Some respondents perceive both risks and benefits, and may be trading off these attributes along the lines of a rational choice model. However, for others, one attribute -benefitappears to dominate their judgements: the lexicographic heuristic. For these respondents, their perception of risk is of limited importance in the formation of attitudes towards GM food and crops. The implication is that the absence of perceived benefits from GM foods and crops calls into question the relevance of risk communication strategies for bringing about change in public opinion.

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Section: Biotechnology and The Public Perception Of Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

GM foods and the misperception of risk perception

Gaskell

Allum²,

Wagner³

et al. 2004

ITA - Elektronische Publikationen

105

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Douglas and Wildavsky (1982) suggested that perceptions of risk should be thought of in a cultural context and that such perceptions may be biased by political, economic, and cultural propensities . Similarly, the theory of social amplification of risk (Kasperson et al, 1988;Renn, Burns, Kasperson, Kasperson, & Slovic, 1992) suggested that psychological, social, institutional, and cultural processes can interact in ways that may amplify or attenuate responses to perceived risks .…”

Section: Perceptions Of Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are people acting irrationally? Understanding public concerns about environmental threats.

Wandersman¹,

Hallman²

1993

American Psychologist

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News stories about environmental events illustrate public concerns about environmental policy and regulations. Increasingly, public perceptions of risk and fear of cancer are influencing the development of public policy regarding the environment. Policymakers have often regarded these public concerns as irrational. The purpose of this article is to describe how psychological research can be used to understand the public's concerns about environmental threats and to discuss the "irrationality" of these concerns. Examples are drawn from research on perceived risk and fear of cancer, and roles are suggested for psychology and psychologists in informing environmental policymaking.

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“…4,5,[25][26][27] To date, at least 15 risk perception factors have been identified that have direct relevance to risk communication (see the Table). 3,4,8 These factors play a large role in determining levels of concern, worry, anger, anxiety, fear, hostility, and outrage, which in turn can significantly change attitudes and behavior.…”

Section: The Risk Perception Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk communication, the West Nile virus epidemic, and bioterrorism: responding to the communication challenges posed by the intentional or unintentional release of a pathogen in an urban setting

Covello

2001

Journal of Urban Health: Bulletin of the New York Academy of Medicine

385

247

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The intentional or unintentional introduction of a pathogen in an urbanThe West Nile virus epidemic is a useful case study for examining the communication challenges posed by the appearance of a new infectious disease in an urban setting. 1 Effective communication is critical to the successful resolution of any type of health, safety, or environmental controversy. 2-4 High-concern situations involving risk create substantial barriers to effective communication 5,6 and evoke strong emotions, such as fear, anxiety, distrust, anger, outrage, helplessness, and frustration. 7,8 When the communication environment becomes emotionally charged, the rules for effective communication change. Familiar and traditional approaches often fall short or can make the situation worse. 2,3 A body of communication theory, known as risk communication, offers insights into how crises and high-concern situations alter the usual rules of communication. 3,7 Risk communication science also provides a set of principles for meeting the challenges posed by the New York City West Nile virus epidemic. 2,3,9 THE RISK COMMUNICATION PERSPECTIVEThe National Academy of Sciences defines risk communication as

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The Social Amplification of Risk: Theoretical Foundations and Empirical Applications

Cited by 433 publications

References 26 publications

GM foods and the misperception of risk perception

GM foods and the misperception of risk perception

Are people acting irrationally? Understanding public concerns about environmental threats.

Risk communication, the West Nile virus epidemic, and bioterrorism: responding to the communication challenges posed by the intentional or unintentional release of a pathogen in an urban setting

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