perceive risk includes the evaluations of the probability as well as the consequences of a ”To negative outcome. It may also be argued that affects related to the activity is an element of risk perception.” Here, it has to be mentioned that in risk psychology the term is perception used in another way than in other fields of psychology. Especially in cognitive theories it is often used to name the process in which sensory information is delivered to the higher centres’ in the brain (Anderson, 2005). In risk psychology, the term names not perception only the process of perceiving but also the process of risk. Consequently experiencing ‘sober’ it can be stated that in is present and that it is a stronger and more risk perception, ‘affect’ personal way of perceiving. Note that perceiving often has to do with feelings such as risk fear or anger. Still, the question about how exactly people perceive remains. Which role does risk, affect exactly play in the transformation of information about risky situations and during the judgement about the risk of a certain situation? And, what could be the influence of worrying about one risk on the perception of another risk? One theory of risk perception that includes the important role of feelings is the Affect presented by Slovic. This will be the topic of the next chapter. Heuristic Slovic’s Affect Heuristic Slovic once stated: is real but risk is a construct”. are not only judged by, what Risks “danger people think about it, but also they feel about it” (Slovic, Peters, Finucane & “how MacGregor, 2005, p.36). According to this, risk perception is not only the objective perception of a dangerous situation. If people perceive risk, they see more than ”the probability of an adverse event and the magnitude of its consequences” (Rundmo, 2004, p.7).They not only react because of an analysis of the situation. They react on feelings such as dread, fear or anxiety. That is why, Slovic and others tried to identify people’s emotional
”To perceive risk includes the evaluations of the probability as well as the consequences of a negative outcome. It may also be argued that affects related to the activity is an element of risk perception.” Here, it has to be mentioned that in risk psychology the term perception is used in another way than in other fields of psychology. Especially in cognitive theories it is often used to name the process in which sensory information is delivered to the higher centres’ in the brain (Anderson, 2005). In risk psychology, the term perception names not only the ‘sober’ process of perceiving but also the process of experiencing risk. Consequently it can be stated that in risk perception, ‘affect’ is present and that it is a stronger and more personal way of perceiving. Note that perceiving risk often has to do with feelings such as fear or anger. Still, the question about how exactly people perceive risk, remains. Which role does affect exactly play in the transformation of information about risky situations and during the judgement about the risk of a certain situation? And, what could be the influence of worrying about one risk on the perception of another risk? One theory of risk perception that includes the important role of feelings is the Affect Heuristic presented by Slovic. This will be the topic of the next chapter. Slovic’s Affect Heuristic Slovic once stated: “danger is real but risk is a construct”. Risks are not only judged by, what people think about it, but also “how they feel about it” (Slovic, Peters, Finucane & MacGregor, 2005, p.36). According to this, risk perception is not only the objective perception of a dangerous situation. If people perceive risk, they see more than ”the probability of an adverse event and the magnitude of its consequences” (Rundmo, 2004, p.7).They not only react because of an analysis of the situation. They react on feelings such as dread, fear or anxiety. That is why, Slovic and others tried to identify people’s emotional
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