Images of disaster: perception and acceptance of risks from nuclear power

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Electr. Perspect.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5749619

Slovic, P; Lichtenstein, S; Bischhoff, B

Public response to risks of nuclear energy is investigated. A quantitative description of the attitudes, perceptions, and expectations of some members of the antinuclear public is given. Sample studies of the public at large were not made; most of the data in the paper comes from survey made at the University of Oregon and another with members of the Eugene, Oregon, League of Women Voters. Perceived risks and benefits, relative to other activities; risk characteristics; the reasons nuclear power is thought to be so dangerous; why death from nuclear power is thought to be so much worse than death from other causes; fatality estimates and disaster multipliers for 30 activities and technologies (alcoholic beverages, bicycles, commercial aviation, contraceptives, electric power, nuclear power, vaccinations, x-rays); fatality estimates associated with maximum credible disasters from commerical aviation and nuclear power are some of the areas covered in the surveys. The authors' view is that educational attempts designed to reduce the perception gap are probably doomed to failure, based on technical and psychological aspects of the problem. After discussing these issues, pathways toward acceptance of nuclear and nonnuclear energy systems are examined.

• OSTI ID: 5749619
• Journal Information: Electr. Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 3; ISSN ELPED
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210700 -- Nuclear Power Plants-- Regulation & Licensing
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DAMAGE
DEATH
DECISION MAKING
EVALUATION
NUCLEAR POWER
POWER
PUBLIC OPINION
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY