Dynamics of risk perception altered by cognitive hazard typification: A case of naturalness and immediacy of effect in Japan.

Abstract

This study investigated how the structure of risk perception differs according to the type determined by perceived hazard properties (cognitive hazard type) by applying three-mode principal component analysis (3MPCA). A total of 295 respondents completed a questionnaire consisting of risk characteristics and risk perception scales for 12 natural, technology, and social activity hazards, differentiated by naturalness and immediacy of effects. Three components were extracted by 3MPCA in scale ("dread," "passive," and "unknown") and three in target hazards ("slow-artificial hazard," "fast-artificial hazard," and "natural hazard"), which were interpreted as three cognitive hazard types. Six components were extracted and interpreted using a core array. Multiple regression analysis of risk perception with individual components revealed that the influence of risk characteristics judgment differed according to cognitive hazard type. "Dread" affected all hazard types, whereas "passive" affected "fast-artificial hazard" and "natural hazard." Furthermore, for "natural hazard," "passive" had negative and positive effects on personal risk assessment and general assessment, respectively. These results suggest the necessity of considering cognitive hazard typification to investigate the structure of risk perception phenomena and the usefulness of applying 3MPCA to the psychometric paradigm.