The Perception of Risk

Edited by Paul Slovic

From the back cover:

The concept of risk is an outgrowth of our society’s great concern about coping with the dangers of modern life. The Perception of Risk brings together the work of Paul Slovic, one of the world’s leading analysts of risk, risk perception and risk management, to examine the gap between expert view of risk and public perceptions. Ordered chronologically, it allows the reader to see the evolution of our understanding of such perceptions, from early studies identifying public misconceptions of risk to recent work that recognizes the importance and legitimacy of equity, trust, power and other value-laden issues underlying public concern.

New methods for assessing perceptions of risk are described, and the implications for regulation and public policy are discussed. In a new departure. the perceptions of adolescents are also examined.

The issues covered include:

•Societal risk taking  •Decision making in mental health law  •Rating risks

•Facts versus fear  •Informing and educating the public about risk

•Intuitive toxicology  •Perceived risks and the politics of nuclear waste

•Perceived risk, trust and democracy  •Technological stigma

This is an essential guide for everyone with an interest in the public perception of risk, including lawyers, policy makers, the business community, and academics from the fields of public health and environment, psychology, economics, sociology, and anthropology and political science.

Available from the publisher, Earthscan.

Reference: Slovic, P. (2000). The perception of risk. Earthscan.