1.3. Cultural Theory and Moral Risk

Hello everyone, welcome to the lecture series on disaster recovery and build back better; this lecture we will talk about cultural theory of risk or cultural perspective of risk. I am Subhajyoti Samaddar from DPRI, Kyoto University so, we already discussed in other lectures about the role of culture in risk perceptions. Here, in this lecture, we will focus more on what the cultural theory is talking about people's risk perceptions.

In this introduction, the lecturer welcomes students and indicates that the focus will be on the cultural theory of risk. This theory emphasizes how individual and collective perceptions of risk are influenced by cultural beliefs and affiliations. It suggests that our backgrounds shape how we view dangers and take action in disaster situations.

Consider how different communities respond to natural disasters. Some cultures may prioritize community support and collective efforts, while others might emphasize individual responsibility. This variation illustrates how cultural backgrounds can influence risk perception and response.

This was the book purely endangered by Mary Douglas in 1966 considered to be a modern classic of anthropology, talking about the moral risk pollution and danger.

Mary Douglas, a prominent anthropologist, introduced concepts of moral risk, pollution, and danger in her 1966 work. She provided a framework for understanding how societies categorize risks based on their cultural values, leading to what they deem as dangerous or acceptable. This work laid the foundation for connecting culture and risk perceptions.

Think of food safety regulations. In some cultures, certain foods are deemed taboo, like pork for some Jewish communities. These cultural preferences reflect deeper beliefs and values, shaping what people consider 'safe' to consume, illustrating Douglas's points about moral risk.

According to the cultural theory of risk, the allocation of responsibility for hazard events is a normal strategy for protecting a particular set of values. Each culture defines what is right or wrong, good or bad, and pure or polluted.

The cultural theory of risk suggests that different cultures develop distinct criteria for determining what is risky or acceptable. This process involves attributing blame or responsibility for hazardous events to preserve cultural values and norms. By positioning certain behaviors or groups as 'other,' cultures protect their beliefs and identity.

During disease outbreaks, specific groups may be unfairly blamed, as seen historically with the stigmatization of minority groups. Such responses can reflect underlying cultural anxieties and values, demonstrating how cultures manage perceived threats.

Mary Douglas was saying that we need to have a kind of categories of cultures, there we have many cultures but we can group them, categorize them. She was telling that we can do it through the grid and group pattern, we can categorize the culture in order to analyze them better.

Mary Douglas proposed a framework called the grid and group model to categorize cultural practices. The 'grid' refers to the rules and regulations within a culture, while the 'group' addresses the social connections and networks a person has within their community. This model facilitates a better understanding of how different cultures perceive and respond to risks.

Imagine a sports team versus a casual group of friends. The sports team has clearer rules (like strategies and roles), while the friendship group may have looser interactions and no defined structure. This difference affects how group members perceive risks in playing versus simply hanging out.

Group generally represents the degree of social incorporation of the individual, which results in how often I am meeting someone, how dense is the network between the members of that group.

This chunk explains that the 'group' aspect of Douglas's model relates to how integrated an individual is within their social network. A high level of integration might mean frequent interactions and strong social ties, while a low level indicates limited connections. The density of these networks influences how risks are perceived and communicated within a culture.

Think of a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other. They may perceive dangers and risks differently compared to a dispersed urban population where individuals seldom interact. Stronger community bonds often lead to quicker and more cohesive responses to risks.

The grid represents what kind of rules and regulations I should maintain when I am a member of a particular group.

The 'grid' represents the established norms, rules, and expectations that govern behavior within a cultural group. These guidelines influence how individuals react to risks and assert responsibility. Understanding these cultural grids is essential for analyzing risk perceptions and community behaviors.

In a workplace, an employee might follow strict protocols about safety measures, influenced by the organization's grid. If the rules are clear, individuals are more likely to adhere to safety practices, demonstrating how grids shape responses to risk.

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