Technological risk and the process of explaining risks to the public have become major public issues. The mention of Bhopal or Love Canal can provoke emotional arguments—not only about the hazards themselves but also about how they were explained to the public. As new laws, the threat of AIDS, and other factors make risk communication more crucial, officials in government and industry are seeking guidelines on how to communicate effectively and responsibly.
This volume offers an approach to better quality in risk communication. The combined insight of experts from government, business, and universities, Improving Risk Communication draws on the most current academic and practical information and analysis. Issues addressed include why risk communication has become more difficult in recent decades, what the major problems are, and how common misconceptions often hamper communication campaigns. Aimed especially at top decisionmakers in government and industry, the book emphasizes that solving the problems of risk communication is as much about improving procedures as improving the content of risk messages.
Specific recommendations for change include a Risk Message Checklist and a call for developing a consumer's guide to risk. Appendixes provide additional details.
National Research Council. 1989. Improving Risk Communication. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/1189.
Chapters | skim | |
---|---|---|
Front Matter | i-xx | |
Summary | 1-13 | |
1 Introduction | 14-29 | |
2 Understanding Hazards and Risks | 30-53 | |
3 Conflict About Hazards and Risks | 54-71 | |
4 Purposes of Risk Communication and Risk Messages | 72-93 | |
5 Common Misconceptions About Risk Communication | 94-107 | |
6 Problems of Risk Communication | 108-142 | |
7 Recommendations for Improving Risk Communication | 143-182 | |
Appendixes | 183-184 | |
Appendix A: Background Information on Committee Members and Professional Staff | 185-192 | |
Appendix B: Bibliography | 193-210 | |
Appendix C: Risk- A Guide to Controversy | 211-319 | |
Appendix D: Availability of Working Papers | 320-320 | |
Appendix E: Key Terms and Distinctions | 321-322 | |
Index | 323-332 |
The Chapter Skim search tool presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter. You may select key terms to highlight them within pages of each chapter.
The National Academies Press (NAP) has partnered with Copyright Clearance Center's Marketplace service to offer you a variety of options for reusing NAP content. Through Marketplace, you may request permission to reprint NAP content in another publication, course pack, secure website, or other media. Marketplace allows you to instantly obtain permission, pay related fees, and print a license directly from the NAP website. The complete terms and conditions of your reuse license can be found in the license agreement that will be made available to you during the online order process. To request permission through Marketplace you are required to create an account by filling out a simple online form. The following list describes license reuses offered by the NAP through Marketplace:
Click here to obtain permission for the above reuses. If you have questions or comments concerning the Marketplace service, please contact:
Marketplace Support
International +1.978.646.2600
US Toll Free +1.855.239.3415
E-mail: support@copyright.com
marketplace.copyright.com
To request permission to distribute a PDF, please contact our Customer Service Department at customer_service@nap.edu.