Abstract
ABSTRACT Biological research on sea star wasting disease (SSWD) is abundant, but there is little examining the human dimensions of this threat to marine environments. This article explored public emotions and cognitions (attitudes, norms) toward SSWD, and how these concepts are related to knowledge and risk perceptions associated with this threat. Data were from a survey of residents in the coastal and most populated regions of Oregon (n = 507). Respondents were grouped by their risk and knowledge, and shown five images depicting deteriorating conditions associated with SSWD, with questions measuring cognitions and emotions in response to each image. Knowledge about SSWD was quite low, and respondents perceived SSWD as a moderate risk to marine environments and a slight risk to themselves. As both knowledge and risk increased, awareness increased and emotions, attitudes, and norms became more negative, especially as SSWD conditions deteriorated. Implications and explanations of these findings were discussed.
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