Community Risk Perception Networks: Expanding the Contagion Theory of Risk. C. W. Scherer and E. Yeo, Cornell University
Earlier work has explored community risk perceptions networks and confirmed that these networks do exist in certain circumstances. The current paper explores in-depth the circumstances which lead to risk perception networks and develops a theoretical model to explain how perception networks develop around a risk event. The study uses network data from two communities, each facing a health risk problem. While considerable work has focused on understanding the individual’s reaction to and formation of opinions about a risk situation, this work assumes that individuals are highly connected to a social network which exchanges information about salient topics. Salience may be triggered by media coverage or community events, which in turn stimulates interpersonal networks. Through exchange of opinions and information in these networks individuals begin, over time, to share similar perceptions. The extension of the theoretical model developed suggests the likelihood of risk behavior networks-that individuals closely linked in social networks share similar risk behaviors.
Go to . . .
2000 SRA Annual Meeting Table of Contents
2000 SRA Annual Meeting Author Index
Main Abstracts Menu Page
RiskWorld Home Page