Recent Publications

Eisler, A. D., Eisler, H., & Yoshida, M. (2003). Perception of global risks: A human ecological approach. In B. Berglund & E. Borg (Eds.), Fechner Day 2003 (pp. 65-70). Stockholm, Sweden: International Society for Psychophysics.

Abstract

Most studies of risk perception and risk judgments have focused on risks which may occur in a single culture. In contrast, the current article presents cross-cultural comparisons of perception of global risks, thereby involving a human ecological approach. Global risk perceptions were compared between German, Japanese, Swedish and American groups. The subjects were required to categorize listed global risk factirs into the five most serious and the rest, that is, those perceived as less serious or not serious at all. The results show striking similarities as well as differences and provide substantial evidence that cultural values are significant predictors of perceived global risks. The data also indicate the potential role of research in a cross-cultural perspective, with orientation toward human ecology, using psychophysical methods, for international and national practices regarding political, economic and environmental decisions.

Keywords: cultural values; perception; risk factors.