Sustainability and Social Justice

The Social Amplification of Risk: A Conceptual Framework

Document Type

Book Chapter

Abstract

The investigation of risks is at once a scientific activity and an expression of culture. During the 20th century, massive governmental programs and bureaucracies aimed at assessing and managing risk have emerged in advanced industrial societies. Despite the expenditure of billions of dollars and steady improvements in health, safety and longevity of life, people view themselves as more rather than less vulnerable to the dangers posed by technology. Particularly perplexing is that even risk events with minor physical consequences often elicit strong public concern and produce extraordinarily severe social impacts, at levels unanticipated by conventional risk analysis.

Publication Title

The Perception of Risk

Publication Date

10-6-2016

First Page

232

Last Page

245

ISBN

9781315661773

DOI

10.4324/9781315661773-24

Keywords

risk Taking, social perception, social processes, sociocultural factors

Share

COinS