An Exploratory Risk Perception Study of Attitudes Toward Homeland Security Systems

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Risk Analysis, 28(4):1125-1133

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.2008.01069.x· OSTI ID:947464

Sanquist, Thomas F; Mahy, Heidi A; Morris, Fred A

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 to measure 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 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, which were used to rank the systems in terms of overall acceptability. Difference scores for the rating scales and PCA factors were used to compute a single acceptability value reflecting the relative weight of risks and benefits. Of the 12 systems studied, airport screening, canine detectors and radiation monitoring at borders were found to be relatively acceptable, i.e., the perceived benefits for homeland security outweighed the perceived risks to civil liberties. 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 (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 947464
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-54251
• Journal Information: Risk Analysis, 28(4):1125-1133, Journal Name: Risk Analysis, 28(4):1125-1133 Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 28; ISSN 0272-4332; ISSN RIANDF
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
AIRPORTS
ATTITUDES
Homeland security
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIATION MONITORING
SECURITY
TERMINAL FACILITIES
risk perception
terrorism