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An Exploratory Risk Percception Study of Attitudes Toward Homeland Security Systems

Journal Article · · Risk Analysis
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
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Understanding the issues surrounding public acceptance of homeland security systems is important for balancing security needs and potential civil liberties infringements. A psychometric survey was used in an exploratory study of attitudes regarding homeland security systems. Psychometric rating data were obtained from 182 respondents on psychological attributes associated with 12 distinct types of homeland security systems. An inverse relationship was observed for the overall rating attributes of acceptability and risk of civil liberties infringement. Principal components analysis (PCA) yielded a two-factor solution with the rating scale loading pattern suggesting factors of perceived effectiveness and perceived intrusiveness. These factors also showed an inverse relationship. The 12 different homeland security systems showed significantly different scores on the rating scales and PCA factors. Of the 12 systems studied, airport screening, canine detectors, and radiation monitoring at borders were found to be the most acceptable, while email monitoring, data mining, and global positioning satellite (GPS) tracking were found to be least acceptable. Students rated several systems as more effective than professionals, but the overall pattern of results for both types of subjects was similar. The data suggest that risk perception research and the psychometric paradigm are useful approaches for quantifying attitudes regarding homeland security systems and policies and can be used to anticipate potentially significant public acceptance issues.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1687394
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-52664
Journal Information:
Risk Analysis, Journal Name: Risk Analysis Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 28; ISSN 0272-4332
Publisher:
Wiley
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (8)

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Technology, security, and individual privacy: New tools, new threats, and new public perceptions journal January 2005
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Social and Political Dimensions of Privacy: Social and Political journal April 2003

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Related Subjects

privacy
homeland security
risk