Strategic Ignorance on Earthquake Preparedness

Abstract

Today, it is accepted that it is not possible to predict earthquakes in advance, but predictions can be obtained through statistical models. This situation has highlighted the importance of general preparedness against earthquakes. In this regard, earthquake preparedness and safety culture became essential. The aim of this chapter is to examine the psychological factors that are thought to have a possible impact on individuals' earthquake preparedness and to bring a new perspective from the behavioral paradigm. The subjects of the research were risk perception, fatalism, and strategic ignorance. The literature was reviewed on the effects of these variables on earthquake preparedness. In the light of what was learned from the literature, debias strategies against strategic ignorance were developed and added as suggestions. These strategies are separating earthquake preparedness items into steps starting from the easy ones, developing an insurance plan just like Save More Tomorrow, and conveying social norms have been suggested as debias strategies.