Abstract
Abstract. Geoscientists and non-geoscientists often struggle to communicate with each other. In this paper we aim to understand how geoscientists and non-geoscientists perceive geological concepts and activities, that is, how they think (cognitive responses) and feel (affective responses) about them. To this effect, using a mixed-methods approach, we compare mental models – people's representation of a phenomenon – of the subsurface, mining/quarrying, and drilling, between geoscientists (n=24) and non-geoscientists (n=38) recruited in Ireland. We identify four dominant themes which underlie their mental models: (1) degree of knowledge and familiarity, (2) presence of humans, (3) affective beliefs, and (4) beliefs about perceived impact of the activities. While the mental models of the non-geoscientists focused more on the perceived negative environmental and economic impacts of geoscience, as well as providing evidence of lay expertise, those of the geoscientists focused more on human interactions. We argue that mental models of geoscientists and non-geoscientists are the result of beliefs, including both cognitive and affective components, and that both components need to be acknowledged for effective dialogue between the two groups to take place.
Highlights
Geoscience activities such as mining, quarrying, hazard risk management, and landscape management are an integral part of society, affecting local communities, citizens, and scientists
The sketches made by geoscientists extended down to a greater depth, included more technical jargon related to geoscience, more labels, more layers within the Earth’s interior, and a greater sense of scale, compared to those of nongeoscientists (Fig. 1)
Geoscientists may have enjoyed the task of sketching to a greater extent, wanting to provide as much information as possible: for instance, a sense of enjoyment was reflected in the inclusion of smiles on the faces of stick figures in one geoscientist’s sketch, which included different types of fossils and crystal shapes (Fig. 1g)
Summary
Geoscience activities such as mining, quarrying, hazard risk management, and landscape management are an integral part of society, affecting local communities, citizens, and scientists. Past studies have investigated public perception and risk communication in the case of fracking Boudet et al, 2014; Thomas et al, 2017), carbon capture and storage (Seigo et al, 2014), and earthquakes (e.g. Marincioni et al, 2012). In the context of earthquake risk communication, Marincioni et al (2012) studied the case of the 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila, Italy, as a result of which 308 people died: the authors identified a lack of clear communication from the risk management authorities to the public in relation to earthquake prediction and structural resistance of buildings. In the context of public perception of carbon capture and storage, Seigo et al (2014) compared risk and benefit perceptions of the technology in different Canadian regions and found that predictors of risk perceptions, such as sustainability concerns, did not vary across different regions and were unrelated to familiarity with the technology.
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