Perception of Potential Nuclear Disaster: The Relation of Likelihood and Consequence Estimates of Risk

Abstract

This study examined the correlations of ratings of expectation of a future disaster in a nuclear power plant and estimations of its consequences in a random sample of 150 adults who lived within two kilometers of a nuclear power plant. Analysis suggested a significant positive but low relation. This finding indicates that risk perception might be explored using constellations of beliefs and attitudes toward hazards without invoking personality characteristics like trait anxiety or demographic variables such as gender.