Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – Overview

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Risk communication - narrow definition  exchange of risk-related information and opinions with the aim to assist stakeholders in arriving at a balanced judgment of risks and decisions on managing these risks  context frequently is technology assessment

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Risk communication - broad definition  any communication of risk-related information, e.g., –information about risks involved in using certain products –company communication concerning incidents, accidents, malfunctions of products etc. –information by public agencies about risks for public health –communication about risks involved in employing certain (new) technologies

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Risk communication within a basic communications model  Sender - transmitter - receiver  Possible senders –science communities, public agencies, interest groups, eye witnesses  Possible transmitters –mass media, public agencies, interest groups, opinion leaders –based on reports, press releases, personal interaction  Possible receivers –general public, targeted audience, exposed groups and individuals

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Types of risk communication  Internal: development of shared understanding among risk professionals  external: communicate risks to the general public –information about risks including the general notion of probability and uncertainty –training for appropriately handling risks –creating confidence in institutions responsible for risk assessment and management –involvement in risk-related decisions

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Risk communication as part of downstream versus upstream engagement  downstream: public participation in decision-making on specific risk-related issues in later stages of development and implementation of particular risky practices –decisions based on traditional risk assessment –kowledge available, but interpretation may differ  upstream: public discussion and development of recommendations in early stages of evolving risk issues, e.g., regarding particular technologies –very high levels of uncertainty –broad issues of risk governance

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Public participation in risk-related decisions (e.g., as part of technology assessment)  Moderated dialogue among interest groups  Moderated dialogue between experts and interest groups  Public hearing  Citizen jury  Consensus conference with experts and concerned laypersons, possibly also interest groups and policy makers  Scenario workshop with possibly representa- tives of all individuals and groups concerned

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Risk perception: “Experts” versus “lay people”  Experts are trained in making judgments based on the "probability x event" model  Lay people use mainly qualitative information –Magnitude of events more important than probability –Personal control over risk –Familiarity with risk –Uneven distribution of costs and benefits for different stakeholders

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 General understanding of risk communication  educating the public to better understand objective notions of risk and support rational decision-making versus  dialogue around framing and legitimating risk knowledge and decision-making in the interplay of different interests, roles, and expertise

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Trust as ingredient of risk communication  Message –timely, clear, concise, unbiased, reputable source  Personal factors –admits uncertainty, empathetic, personal stake, competent, charismatic  Institutional factors –competent leadership, positive labor relations, sound policy and services  Political and cultural context –faith in institutions, balanced leadership, integrity of institutions

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Persuasion as ingredient of risk communication  Peripheral route of persuasion: opinion based on simple cues and heuristics when issue is less relevant –attractiveness of message –credibility of source  Central route of persuasion: careful balancing of all arguments when issue is highly relevant –plausibility, impartiality, fairness of arguments –congruence with own values and attitudes

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Attentuation versus amplification of risk through risk communication?  Balance between perceived benefits between social groups and institutions  Types of analogies used  Media coverage  Interest group attention  Scientific dispute

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Requirements for risk communication programs  Continuous effort to communicate with stakeholders  Tailored communication to fit needs of different audiences  Critical review of performance of each major actor  Continuous feedback and adaptation

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Demands for good risk communication  Educating about risks including the general notion of probability and uncertainty  Building trust –timely, concise, unbiased message –competent, empathetic, honest communicators –institutional support and integrity  Involving stakeholders through adequate forms of participation  Promoting dialogue which acknowledges different interests, roles, and expertise  Monitoring effects of risk communication and adapt communicaton continuously

Psychological Aspects of Risk Management and Technology – G. Grote ETHZ, Fall09 Exercise: Risk communication concerning flu pandemic  What information do you personally need? Do you think other people require other kinds of information?  Has the information you need been provided to you? By whom ? (see also leaflet by Federal Office of Public Health)  How do you evaluate the risk communication by government agencies and by the media?  What should be / have been done differently?