A Summary of Slovic's Study of Risk

What is risk? Who is at risk and what is causing that risk?

These questions are surprisingly hard to answer and the answers will vary based on who is being asked. This is because "risk" is a socially constructed phenomenon. Individual perceptions of risk greatly differ from that of an expert's view. An expert's definition of risk is carefully analyzed based on rational research. The public, on the other hand, define risk based off of emotions which can be foolish and irrational.

The public perception of risk has a surprising amount of power, despite its lack of legitimacy. What the public finds risky has the power to determine legislative agendas and political priorities. It is clear that risk is a driving force in both personal and public circles, but what exactly is risk?

Risk is something inherently subjective and constructed by man in order to cope with the uncertainties life presents to him. Sex and gender have the potential to effect what people see as risk. For example, men see many things as less risky and problematic, and the opposite is true of women.

It is also interesting to consider that white men tend to see less risk in the world compared to women and minority men. This could be because white men have the power to create and control the institutions of the world. This also explains why women and non-white men see greater risk in the world; they are more vulnerable and do not benefit as much from authorities and institutions.

Risk in today's world has moved beyond science and is firmly rooted in social and political realms of society. It is impacted by worldviews, which are general, social, cultural, and political attitudes that influence judgment, and affects, a form of either positive or negative emotion that arises instantly based on an external influence. Both worldviews and affects work together to influence risk-related judgments.

Overall, we can learn from Slovic that risk is very complex, but it is not actually real in the sense that danger is real. It is constructed in the human mind and has the potential to influence national matters of concern.