Risk communication in social context: Improving effective communication
- Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States). Energy Division
In the realm of complex and controversial technologies, professional risk communicators typically attempt to educate the affected public about the safety of technologies, emphasizing very low probabilities of events that may harm human health and safety. When the often one-way transmission of such information fails to lead to public acceptance of the technology in question, there may be much frustration and heightened tensions on all sides. This article argues that the process of communication may be more effective when (1) topics of communication are expanded to include many socially relevant aspects of a technology and its effects, not just probabilities of morbidity and mortality; (2) communication truly is interactive, not unidirectional; and (3) there is recognition that information about a technology (its safety and social impacts, as examples) is communicated nearly continually through both formal and informal channels. To illustrate these points, an example of technology communication involving military low-altitude training flights is presented. The article concludes by discussing why the linkage between risk communication and technology acceptance should promote an interactive, socially relevant communication process.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 7205834
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Professional; (United States), Vol. 15:3; ISSN 0191-5398
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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