The Perception of Risk

This is a collection of papers authored or co-authored by Paul Slovic, one of the world's leading analysts of risk. By its chronological arrangement it shows the evolution of Slovic's views on risk analysis, from early studies identifying public misconceptions of risk, to recent work that recognizes the importance and legitimacy of equity, trust, power and other values underlying public concerns. New methods for assessing perceptions are described, as are implications for regulation and public policy. In a new departure, the perceptions of adolescents, as well as adults, are examined. In an excellent overview of the critical issues involved in risk perception, this volume examines issues such as : societal risk taking; decision making in mental health law; rating risks; facts versus fears; informing and educating the public about risk; perceived risks and the politics of nuclear waste; and perceived risk, trust and democracy.