The Influence of Perceived Risk Knowledge on Risk Communication

Abstract

This study developed and validated the Risk Knowledge Index (RKI). The RKI is designed as a simple measure of the degree to which an individual perceives he or she understands the nature of a specific risk. The study examined the criterion validity of the RKI using variables common in instructional communication: nonverbal immediacy, communication clarity, receiver apprehension, satisfaction, and perceived credibility. An individual's perceived understanding of a risk was significantly related to all of the variables in the study.