Abstract
This article reports the results of an evaluation of the effectiveness of different types of information materials in communicating the risk from exposure to radon, a naturally occurring indoor air pollutant. The study involved a panel of 2300 homeowners who actually experienced risks from radon, and the information program used to explain these risks. The analysis considered information transfer and performance on specific tasks requiring information on the risk from radon to measure learning. The results suggest a systematic learning process, but indicate that the process can be influenced by how risk information is presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, Frederick W. Towards a Holistic Appreciation of Risk: The Challenge for Communicators and Policymakers. Unpublished paper, July 27, 1987.
Bettman, J.R. & Kakkar, P. Effects of Information Presentation Format on Consumer Information Acquisition Strategies.Journal of Consumer Research (Vol. 3, 1977), pp 233–240.
Covello, Vincent T., Slovic, Paul, & von Winterfeldt, Detlof. Risk Communication: A Review of the Literature. Unpublished paper, July, 1987.
Hogarth, Robin M. & Reder, Melvin W. Editors' Comments: Perspectives from Economics and Psychology.The Behavioral Foundations of Economic Theory. Special issue of theThe Journal of Business (Vol. 59, 1986), pp S185-S208.
Kahneman, Daniel & Tversky, Amos. Choices, Values, and Frames.American Psychologist (Vol. 39, 1984), pp 341–350.
Lucas, Robert E. Jr. Adaptive Behavior and Economic Theory.The Behavioral Foundations of Economic Theory. Special issue ofThe Journal of Business (Vol. 59, 1986), pp S401-S426.
Machina, Mark J. The Economic Theory of Individual Behavior Toward Risk: Theory, Evidence, and New Directions. Stanford University Institute for Mathematical Studies in the Social Sciences, Technical Report, 1983.
Machina, Mark J. Choice Under Uncertainty: Problems Solved and Unsolved.Journal of Economic Perspectives (Vol. 1, 1987), pp 121–154.
McClelland, Gary H., Schulze, William D., & Coursey, Don L. Valuing Risk: A Comparison of Expected Utility With Models From Cognitive Psychology. University of Colorado, unpublished paper, September, 1986.
Mitchell, Robert Cameron & Carson, Richard T.Using Surveys to Value Public Goods: The Contingent Valuation Methods. Washington, D.C.: Resources for the Future, 1988.
Schoemaker, Paul J.H. The Expected Utility Model: Its Variants, Purposes, Evidence, and Limitation.Journal of Economic Literature (Vol. 20, 1982), pp 529–563.
Simon, Herbert A. Rationality in Psychology and Economics.The Behavioral Foundations of Economic Theory. Special issue ofThe Journal of Business (Vol. 59, 1986), pp S209-S224.
Slovic, Paul, Fischhoff, Baruch, & Lichtenstein, Sarah. Regulation of Risk: A Psychological Perspective. In: Roger, Noll, ed.,Regulatory Policy and the Social Sciences. Berkeley, California: University of California Press, 1985.
Smith, V. Kerry & Desvousges, William H. An Empirical Analysis of the Economic Value of Risk Changes.Journal of Political Economy (Vol. 95, 1987), pp 89–114.
Smith, V. Kerry, Desvousges, William H., Fisher, Ann, & Johnson, F. Reed.Communicating Radon Risk Effectively: A Mid-Course Evaluation. Washington, D.C.: Office of Policy Analysis, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1987.
Smith, V. Kerry & Johnson, F. Reed. How Do Risk Perceptions Respond to Information? The Case of Radon.Review of Economics and Statistics, Forthcoming.
Tversky, Amos & Kahneman, Daniel. Rational Choice and the Framing of Decisions. Special issue ofThe Journal of Business, (Vol. 59, No. 4, 1986), pp S251-S278.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Unfinished Business: A Comparative Assessment of Environmental Problems, Vol. I, Overview. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1987.
Viscusi, W. Kip. A Bayesian Perspective on Biases in Risk Perception.Economics Letters (Vol. 17, 1985), pp 59–62.
Viscusi, W. Kip & Magat, Wesley A.Learning About Risk: Consumer and Worker Responses to Hazard Information. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1987.
Viscusi, W. Kip, Magat, Wesley A., Huber, Joel. Informational Regulation of Consumer Health Risks: An Empirical Evaluation of Hazard Warnings.Rand Journal of Economics (Vol. 17, 1986), pp 351–361.
Viscusi, W. Kip & O'Connor, Charles J. Adaptive Responses to Chemical Labeling: Are Workers Bayesian Decision Makers?American Economic Review (Vol. 74, 1984) pp 942–956.
Additional information
North Carolina State University
Research Triangle Institute
Risk Communication Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Naval Academy
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Smith, V.K., Desvousges, W.H., Fisher, A. et al. Learning about radon's risk. J Risk Uncertainty 1, 233–258 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056169
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00056169