Chapter preview

This chapter discusses the origin of the word ‘risk’ and introduces definitions of hazard and risk, detailing how they are often confused. It goes on to describe the great debate of the last thirty years between science and social science that has called into question the existence of objective risk and focused us upon the social processes that determine risk. The value of the social psychological approach to the analysis of risk is examined and a framework for developing a coherent and comprehensive social psychological model of risk is outlined. This framework proposes that it is necessary to map the relationships between phenomena at the level of the individual (cognitions, emotions, intentions and action), at the interpersonal level (between people and within groups), at the level of institutions (for instance, legal or religious authorities), within belief and normative systems (like ideologies or social representations), and in the material (physical and environmental) and socio-historical context. Mapping the relationships between phenomena at these different levels allows a very rich description of the ways in which risk is understood and the responses that surround it. The chapter concludes by suggesting that existing models of risk each have something to offer to this mapping exercise. An outline of the most significant clusters of research on the psychology of risk is presented. These are examined in greater detail in later chapters. The chapter includes a listing of a series of key questions that an integrative social psychological analysis of risk must address.