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Related Experiment Videos

Risk comparisons, conflict, and risk acceptability claims.

Branden B Johnson1

  • 1Bureau of Risk Analysis, Division of Science, Research and Technology, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton, NJ 08625-0409, USA. Branden.Johnson@dep.state.nj.us

Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
|March 19, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Risk comparisons in communication are generally well-received, but context matters. While they didn't significantly alter risk perceptions, conflict and explicit acceptability claims showed subtle influences on audience judgments.

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Area of Science:

  • Risk communication
  • Environmental psychology
  • Public perception of risk

Background:

  • Limited empirical research exists on the public's reaction to risk comparisons.
  • Previous studies explored public preferences for different risk comparisons but lacked nuanced contextual factors.
  • The affect hypothesis suggests low-risk information may inflate benefit perceptions without altering risk estimates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effect of conflict and risk acceptability claims on public preferences for risk comparisons.
  • To test the affect hypothesis regarding risk comparisons influencing risk and benefit perceptions.
  • To analyze audience reactions to risk comparisons in a hypothetical ethylene oxide plant scenario.

Main Methods:

  • Survey of 303 New Jersey residents using revised scenarios and 10 risk comparison examples.

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  • Manipulation of conflict levels (low vs. high) between a factory manager and residents.
  • Inclusion of a risk acceptability claim alongside risk comparisons and assessment of audience ratings and inferences.

    • Main Results:

    • Risk comparisons generally received positive ratings across all conditions.
    • Conflict manipulation was effective, but overall scenario ratings did not differ significantly between conflict levels.
    • Risk acceptability claims did not worsen ratings and were equally likely to be perceived as persuasive attempts.

    Conclusions:

    • Risk comparisons and explicit acceptability claims are not inherently detrimental in risk communication.
    • Subtle effects were observed, with conflict potentially decreasing risk acceptability and raising benefit estimates.
    • Individual variability in risk comparison preferences remains significant, suggesting personalized communication strategies may be needed.