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Gender, Race, and Perception of Environmental Health Risks

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  • James Flynn
  • Paul Slovic
  • C. K. Mertz

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a national survey in which perceptions of environmental health risks were measured for 1275 white and 214 nonwhite persons. The results showed that white women perceived risks to be much higher than did white men, a result that is consistent with previous studies. However, this gender difference was not true of nonwhite women and men, whose perceptions of risk were quite similar. Most striking was the finding that white males tended to differ from everyone else in their attitudes and perceptions–on average, they perceived risks as much smaller and much more acceptable than did other people. These results suggest that sociopolitical factors such as power, status, alienation, and trust are strong determiners of people's perception and acceptance of risks.

Suggested Citation

  • James Flynn & Paul Slovic & C. K. Mertz, 1994. "Gender, Race, and Perception of Environmental Health Risks," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(6), pages 1101-1108, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:14:y:1994:i:6:p:1101-1108
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1994.tb00082.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ian Savage, 1993. "Demographic Influences on Risk Perceptions," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(4), pages 413-420, August.
    2. Rae Zimmerman, 1993. "Social Equity and Environmental Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(6), pages 649-666, December.
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