How does multi‐hazard communication influence risk perception, attitudes, and behaviour: an experimental survey
Lauren J. Vinnell et al.
Abstract
Our understanding of the effects of multi-hazard contexts on risk perception and behaviour is limited. In a novel approach, we utilise an experimental survey where groups of participants are asked to consider a different combination of the same two hazards: an earthquake and a tsunami. We discovered that asking people about one hazard has significant and meaningful effects on their judgements of the second hazard. In particular, participants perceived significantly less threat from a tsunami after thinking about an earthquake, and vice versa. Intention to prepare for a tsunami was also lower if the participants had already been asked about an earthquake; however, intention to prepare for an earthquake was higher if participants had already been asked about a tsunami. These findings have important implications for public education efforts, suggesting that it may be better to focus on encouraging preparation for a single hazard or for impacts separate from a specific causal hazard, rather than overloading the public with multiple risks simultaneously.
Evidence weight
Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40
| F · citation impact | 0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20 |
| M · momentum | 0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07 |
| V · venue signal | 0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03 |
| R · text relevance † | 0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20 |
† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.