Public Attention to Risks, Hazards, and Disasters: A Retrospective Review and Proposed Conceptual Model

Abstract

Although public attention has been identified as an influential variable in the decision‐making process by individuals before, during, and after a disaster, it has received comparatively little consideration within the risk and hazards literatures. This is surprising, as attention is noted for bridging the gap between information and action, and is therefore highly relevant to studies on human behavior during crises. This paper draws on theoretical and empirical insights from research across numerous disciplines in order to flesh out the concept of public attention within the context of risks, hazards, and disasters. Theoretical insights from the literature on the issue attention cycle, agenda‐setting theory, the theory of structuration, and sense‐making theory were used to develop a conceptual model of public attention that is presented here. This model highlights the role of public attention from the moment of initial exposure, through to the iterative process of interpretation, which is intrinsically linked to action. The relationships in the conceptual model are then illustrated using two empirical research projects as examples. This paper concludes by suggesting opportunities for future research that may further improve scholarly understanding of public attention within the context of environmental hazards and other threats.