Risk perception in Korea: an application of psychometric paradigm

Abstract

Korean students rated the of 70 hazards and a subset on seven characteristics. The results show that two higher order factors - risk and unknown risk - structure the Korean perceptions of the 70 hazards. On the dread dimension, all six nuclear risks (nuclear power, nuclear war/weapon, nuclear weapon tests, transportation of radioactive materials, nuclear waste disposal, nuclear reactor accidents) are the most dreaded risks. Possible explanations for other specific risks are also discussed.