Analysis of Marris´ Risk Perception Research

INTRODUCTION

According to Sjoberg et al. (2004) “Risk perception is the subjective assessment of the probability of a specified type of accident happening and how concerned we are with the consequences”. Risk perception has become an important subject of discussion in the world of risk management as it aids risk its decision making process.

This report seeks to give an in-depth analysis of the article written by Marris et al. (1998) on risk perception research and inquire the substantiality of the authors’ conclusions.

1. SUMMARY OF PAPER

1.1 THE APPROACHES OF RISK PERCEPTION

Risk perception research has produced a number of methods amongst which are the Psychometric, the Basic Risk Perception Model, the Social Amplication of risk and Cultural Theory (af Walberg, 2001, p.237).However, Marris et al. (1998) classified the approaches to risk perception into two categories; the cultural theory and the psychometric paradigm approach perhaps because they are more dominant and were the basis of the research.

1.2 CULTURAL THEORY APPROACH

The main aim of Marris et al. (1998) was to compare the cultural theory with psychometric paradigm. According to Sgive et al. (2004) cultural theory was first introduced by studies conducted by Douglas and Wildkavsy (1982) that identified accepting and perceiving risks are based on adherence to cultural and social constructs. The theory gives an understanding into how the world and also risks are understood by classifying people into different categories based on the institutions they associate with and their beliefs (i.e. grid-group typology).

Despite studies in support of this theory, Boholm and Sjoberg as cited in Marris et al. (1998) criticised the cultural theory by highlighting the two contrad...

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... Analysis, 17(3), 303–312.

Ng, R. and Rayner, S. (2010) 'Integrating psychometric and cultural theory approaches to formulate an alternative measure of risk perception', Innovation-The European Journal of Social Science Research, 23, 2, pp. 85-100. [Online] DOI: 10.1080/13511610.2010.512439 (Accessed 30 November 2013).

Oltedal, S., Moen, B. E., Klempe, H. and Rundmo, T. (2004). Explaining risk perception: An evaluation of cultural theory. Trondheim: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Sjoberg, L. (2002) ‘Are perceived risk models alive and well?’ Risk Analysis, 22(4) 665-669

Sjöberg, L., Moen, B. E., and Rundmo, T. (2004). Explaining risk perception. An evaluation of the psychometric paradigm in risk perception research.[Online]. Available at http://paul hadrien.info/backup/LSE/IS%20490/utile/Sjoberg%20Psychometric_paradigm.pdf.(Acessed: 3 November 2013)