Reading

Science for Business, Law and Journalism. Chapter 19. Flaws in our ability to see the answer. Note: We have previously read this chapter. The present class provides quite a bit more detail about the ways in which human perceptions systematically differ from reality---that is, on how human perceptions are biased.

Slovic 1987. Perception of risk. Science 236: 280-285.

Questions for Class Discussion

1. Is reducing perceived risk a valid public policy goal? Or should public policy be directed only at reducing actual risk? Inasmuch as Slovic shows that known hazards are much less of a perceived risk than unknown hazards, might it not be that the labelling law has the effect of reducing perceived risk?

2. What type of risks do humans perceive as being particularly serious? Provide examples. What type of risks to humans perceive as not serious? Provide examples. See Figure 1 of Slovic.

3. Slovic has an interesting discussion of the Ford Pinto. Come to class prepared to explain Slovic's point.

4. Humans are much happier about accepting risks they can control, as compared to risks imposed on them. Provide examples of ways in which governments, corporations and non-profits might be able to structure public participation and decision making so as to increase public control, and thereby reduce the perceived risk.

5. Explain Figure 1 of Slovic. What exactly does this figure show?