The psychology of risk

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Date

2010

Authors

Slovic, Paul

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Universidade de São Paulo

Abstract

The essay contrasts the scientific approach to analyzing and making decisions about risk with the ways that ordinary people perceive and repsond to risk. It highlights the importance of trust as a determiner of perceived risk. It describes relatively new research on "risk as feelings" and the "Affect Heuristic." Finally reflects on the importance of this work for risk communication and concludes with some observations about human rationality and irrationality in the face of risk.

Description

17 pages

Keywords

Evaluation of risk, Risk perception, Human judgment, Decision making

Citation

Slovic, P. (2010). The psychology of risk. Saúde e Sociedade, 19, 731–747.