Social representations of natural hazard risk in Swiss mountain regions

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Authors
Maidl, Elisabeth
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
2018
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Course of study
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01A - Journal article
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Parent work
Geosciences
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DOI of the original publication
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Series
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Volume
9
Issue / Number
1
Pages / Duration
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Publisher / Publishing institution
MDPI
Place of publication / Event location
Basel
Edition
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Abstract
The term “risk” is connoted with divergent meanings in natural hazard risk research and the practice of risk management. Whilst the technical definition is accurately defined, in practice, the term “risk” is often synonymously used with “danger”. Considering this divergence as a deficiency, risk communication often aims to correct laypersons’ understanding. We suggest to instead treat the variety of meanings as a resource for risk communication strategies. However, there is however to date no investigation of what laypersons’ meanings of risk actually comprise. To address this gap, we examine the meanings of risk by applying a social representations approach within a qualitative case study research design. Results of the study among inhabitants of Swiss mountain villages show that differences in meanings were found according to hazard experience and community size. We found commonly shared core representations and peripheral ones. We conclude with suggestions on how to make usage of
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Subject (DDC)
330 - Wirtschaft
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ISBN
ISSN
2076-3263
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Expert editing/editorial review
Open access category
Gold
License
'https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/'
Citation
MAIDL, Elisabeth und Matthias BUCHECKER, 2018. Social representations of natural hazard risk in Swiss mountain regions. Geosciences. 2018. Bd. 9, Nr. 1. DOI 10.3390/GEOSCIENCES9010002. Verfügbar unter: https://doi.org/10.26041/fhnw-6347