Risk Perception of Different Societal Groups: Australian Findings and Crossnational Comparison

Cross-national & societal group differences in risk perception & the factors that impact them were examined through survey of 339 Australian respondents & comparison with similar data collected in New Zealand & the Federal Republic of Germany. Perceived risk was highest for long-term smoking, working in asbestos production, & living near a nuclear power plant, & these risk sources induced the most fear associations. Sporting activities were perceived as having positive individual benefits, & public service activities as having both individual & societal benefits. Psychological orientation -- technological, ecological, feministic, or monetarian -- had a large impact on perception of risk. Despite some differences in the evaluation of risk in sports activities & private behaviors, risk sensitivity & perception patterns were similar across the three nations studied. 8 Tables, 4 Figures, 89 References. Adapted from the source document.