Cross-cultural differences in risk perceptions of disasters

Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
Elaine GierlachLarry E Beutler

Abstract

Public risk perceptions of mass disasters carry considerable influences, both psychologically and economically, despite their oft-times imprecise nature. Prior research has identified the presence of an optimistic bias that affects risk perception, but there is a dearth of literature examining how these perceptions differ among cultures-particularly with regard to mass disasters. The present study explores differences among Japanese, Argentinean, and North American mental health workers in their rates of the optimistic bias in risk perceptions as contrasted between natural disasters and terrorist events. The results indicate a significant difference among cultures in levels of perceived risk that do not correspond to actual exposure rates. Japanese groups had the highest risk perceptions for both types of hazards and North Americans and Argentineans had the lowest risk perceptions for terrorism. Additionally, participants across all cultures rated risk to self as lower than risk to others (optimistic bias) across all disaster types. These findings suggest that cultural factors may have a greater influence on risk perception than social exposure, and that the belief that one is more immune to disasters compared to others may be ...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 1, 2012·The Journal of General Psychology·John R Chapin, Mari Pierce
Apr 20, 2013·American Journal of Public Health·Michael R GreenbergStacey Elliott
Dec 12, 2012·Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness·Julia M PearceM Brooke Rogers
Jan 1, 2014·Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis·Daniela KnuthSilke Schmidt
Mar 19, 2013·Transfusion Medicine Reviews·Ly Thi NgoBrian Custer
Mar 7, 2014·Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis·Ian G J Dawson, Johnnie E V Johnson
Nov 4, 2015·Vox Sanguinis·E-M MerzW L A M de Kort
May 22, 2013·Health Promotion International·Sudhvir SinghTord Kjellstrom
Aug 9, 2018·PloS One·Gaëtan MerlhiotLaurie Mondillon
Jun 12, 2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Francesca S Cardwell, Susan J Elliott
Nov 27, 2018·Jàmbá : Journal of Disaster Risk Studies·Aida C Terblanche-GreeffRuth A Loubser
Aug 14, 2019·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Shan GaoXiaozhou Liu
Sep 20, 2020·Risk Analysis : an Official Publication of the Society for Risk Analysis·Michael Siegrist, Joseph Árvai

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