1.5. Blame and Perceptions of Unfairness

But when we are saying that, that much of casualty happened people are more likely to believe the information, ready to accept that this is risky. Importance of message is also very important, okay. Who is sending these informations to them and how important it is?

The way information about risks is conveyed significantly influences people's perceptions. When people hear about large casualties from an incident, they are more inclined to accept that it represents a real threat. The credibility of the source also matters; if the information comes from a trusted and authoritative source, individuals are more likely to view the risk as serious and take it seriously.

Consider a news report about a virus outbreak. If a well-known health organization reports a high number of cases, people are more likely to take precautions compared to if they hear the same information from a less trustworthy source. The message's authority can create a sense of urgency in the audience.

Another one the catastrophic potentials, how people consider the catastrophic potentials in order to judge the risk. When we are saying high probability, low consequence of disasters like you can say the drought compared to low probability high consequences like the 2011 Japan earthquake and Tsunami.

People subconsciously weigh the likelihood of an event happening against its potential consequences. For instance, droughts occur frequently but have less severe immediate impacts, so people may see them as less risky. In contrast, events with low probability but high consequences, such as a major earthquake, tend to be viewed as more threatening despite their rarity.

Imagine you live in an area prone to flooding, which occurs every year, but the damage is typically minor. You might think, 'I've dealt with this before; it's not a big deal.' However, if you hear about a devastating tornado that strikes once a century, you might consider it a serious threat, even if it happens infrequently.

Also, the context, the risk situation, the perception of dread having personal control, that I can control the risk over the magnitude and probability, so how it will happen or what extended to happen, I have some control or not.

People's feelings of control over a risk influence their perception of that risk. If individuals believe they can influence or manage a risk, they are less likely to see it as a significant threat. Familiarity also plays a role; those with experience or knowledge about a risk tend to perceive it as less intimidating, whereas new or unknown risks often seem more frightening.

Think about someone who regularly flies on airplanes. They may feel comfortable and view flying as safe due to their familiarity, even though accidents can occur. On the other hand, a person who has never flown might see air travel as highly risky and fear the unknown.

And when it is more easy to blame the reason that why this risk is happening, risk is taking place, disaster is taking place is because of someone’s responsibility people consider this as more higher risk and believe the cause of risk okay, is it unfair, equity, profit of others.

When people can attribute a disaster or risk to specific individuals or organizations, it amplifies their perception of that risk. This is particularly true when they believe that someone is benefiting at the expense of others or that there is an unfair distribution of risk. This blame can lead to heightened anxiety and belief in the dangers associated with the event.

After an industrial accident, if people discover that the company cut corners on safety to save money, they are likely to feel more threatened by the risk of future accidents, believing the company is profit-driven and prioritizes financial gain over safety.

Now, this mass media public institutions and opinion groups and they are collecting data from the senders through journal articles from report, eyewitness okay and they are collecting and then they are passing it to the receivers.

Mass media and other institutions play a crucial role in shaping public perception of risk. They not only gather and disseminate information but also interpret and potentially emphasize certain aspects of that information. The way risks are reported can either amplify fears or downplay significant threats, deeply influencing public perception.

During a natural disaster like a hurricane, the media coverage can create a sense of urgency and fear. For instance, if news outlets emphasize the possible catastrophic consequences and dramatic footage, viewers may feel more anxious and inclined to prepare for the worst, even if the actual risk is lower.

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