How does multi-hazard communication influence risk perception, attitudes, and behaviour: an experimental survey
Lauren J Vinnell1, Emma E H Doyle1, Julia S Becker1
1Joint Centre for Disaster Research, Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
Disasters
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Understanding multi-hazard risks is crucial. Focusing public education on single hazards, rather than multiple risks, may improve risk perception and preparation for natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Environmental Science
- Disaster Management
Background:
- Limited understanding exists regarding how multi-hazard contexts influence risk perception and behavior.
- Existing research often fails to capture the complex interplay between different natural hazards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of considering one hazard (earthquake or tsunami) on the perception and preparedness for a second hazard.
- To inform public education strategies for multi-hazard environments.
Main Methods:
- An experimental survey design was employed.
- Participants were divided into groups, each considering a different combination of earthquake and tsunami hazards.
- Hazard perception and intention to prepare were measured.
Main Results:
- Considering one hazard significantly altered judgments about the second hazard.
- Participants perceived lower threat from tsunamis after thinking about earthquakes, and vice versa.
- Tsunami preparation intention decreased after considering earthquakes, while earthquake preparation intention increased after considering tsunamis.
Conclusions:
- Public education on disaster preparedness may be more effective when focusing on single hazards or hazard impacts.
- Overloading the public with multiple risks simultaneously could reduce overall preparedness and risk perception.
- Tailoring communication strategies to specific hazard contexts is essential for effective disaster risk reduction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:12Hazard Ratio
688
The hazard ratio (HR) is a widely used measure in clinical trials to compare the risk of events, such as death or disease recurrence, between two groups over time. It reflects the ratio of hazard rates—the instantaneous risk of the event occurring—between a treatment group and a control group. This measure provides valuable insights into the relative effectiveness of a treatment by assessing how the risk of an event differs between the two groups.
For example, in a clinical trial...
For example, in a clinical trial...
688
02:16Surveys
17.2K
Often, psychologists develop surveys as a means of gathering data. Surveys are lists of questions to be answered by research participants, and can be delivered as paper-and-pencil questionnaires, administered electronically, or conducted verbally. Generally, the survey itself can be completed in a short time, and the ease of administering a survey makes it easy to collect data from a large number of people.
17.2K
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
520
Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
520
03:26Framing Effects
8.0K
Information is everywhere and its presentation—such as how and when items are presented—can impact our perceptions and decisions surrounding the info. This broad concept umbrellas framing effects—influences that occur due to the way information is framed in its appearance, whether it’s purely the order or the specific wording of a message. Let’s take a look at numerous ways in which two versions of something can objectively say the same thing, yet we respond in...
8.0K
01:11Hazard Rate
482
The hazard rate, also known as the hazard function or failure rate, is a statistical measure used to describe the instantaneous rate at which an event occurs, given that the event has not yet happened. From a probabilistic perspective, it represents the likelihood that a subject will experience the event in a very small time interval, conditional on surviving up to the beginning of that interval. In terms of frequency, the hazard rate can be viewed as the ratio of the number of events to the...
482
01:28Survey Safety
458
Surveying near highways, rough terrain, or power lines involves significant risks. Working along highways is particularly dangerous and requires the use of warning signs and flagmen. It is safest to avoid working directly on roads and use offsets whenever possible. When highway work is unavoidable, it must follow all safety guidelines. Surveyors should wear bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests, to ensure visibility to motorists, coworkers, and hunters. In construction zones, wearing...
458