The psychology of risk / Glynis M. Breakwell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Breakwell, Glynis M. (Glynis Marie)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Risk-taking (Psychology).

Risk-taking (Psychology)--Social aspects.

Social aspects.

Physical Description:

xiii, 335 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Summary:

Risk surrounds and envelops us. Without understanding it, we risk everything and without capitalising on it, we gain nothing. This accessible new book from Glynis M. Breakwell comprehensively explores the psychology of risk, examining how individuals think, feel and act, as well as considering the institutional and societal assessments, rhetorics and reactions about risk. Featuring chapters on all the major issues in the psychology of risk including risk assessment, hazard perception, decision-making, risk and crisis management, risk and emotion, risk communication, safety cultures, the social amplification and social representation of risk, and mechanisms for changing risk responses, Breakwell uses illustrations and examples to bring to life the significance of her research findings. She provides an innovative overview of current knowledge on the subject but also suggests that there are many fascinating questions still to be answered.

Contents:

1 A psychological framework for analysing risk 1

2 Hazard perception 12

3 Individual and group differences in risk perception 44

4 Decision-making about risks 78

5 Risk and emotion 109

6 Risk communication 130

7 Errors, accidents and emergencies 173

8 Risk and complex organisations 196

9 Social amplification and social representations of risk 224

10 Changing risk responses 266.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780521802963

0521802962

9780521004459

0521004454

OCLC:

154682230