Some current models for the perception and judgment of risk

Abstract

We survey some of the models more recently used to portray panelists' perceptions of risk, viewed as a complex psychological response. These models are compared (a) as continuous versus discrete, (b) with regard to type of data and tasks required of panelists, and (c) by facility for portraying different patterns of judgments among panelists. Substantive results from applying different models to the same risks and/or data are presented. Finally, we consider possible future directions for research in the perception of risk, oriented toward use of the models presented here.