Risk Perception is Affected by Experience

Abstract

Use of safety devices concerns human factors and safety personnel both as a practical matter of reducing injuries and saving lives and as a basis for studying theories of human behavior. Many reasons are given for non-use of these devices. Seatbelt use provides a good model for examining generally what factors affect safety behaviors. Slovic, Fischoff, and Lichtenstein (1978) suggested that failure to use seatbelts resulted from fear extinction, in that the effort required to fasten the belt was not reinforced and ultimately habit strength was reduced. A test of this hypothesis provided evidence for fear as a factor. Professed seatbelt use was an increasing function of distance driven. In addition, other hazards examined generally showed the greater experience with a hazard the lower the perception of risk, supporting an extinction explanation.