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Korean Journal of Psychology: General

ISSN : 1229-067X

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Vol.27 No.3

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Differences between Experts and Lay People in Worldviews and Risk Perception: Examining a Culture Theory

Korean Journal of Psychology: General / Korean Journal of Psychology: General, (P)1229-067X; (E)2734-1127
2008, v.27 no.3, pp.635-651



& (2008). Differences between Experts and Lay People in Worldviews and Risk Perception: Examining a Culture Theory. Korean Journal of Psychology: General, 27(3), 635-651.

Abstract

The present study examined a culture theory regarding the relations between worldviews and risk perception of lay people (N=350) and experts (N=190) in science and technology. The culture theory suggests that worldviews are associated with concerns about distinct types of risks and that risk perception can be explained by worldviews. We explored this hypothesis because lay people and experts show difference in worldviews and risk perception and because the variance in risk perception are predicted by worldviews. Both group showed qualitative and quantitative differences in correlations between worldviews and risk perception. Most difference emerged from the risks in scientific technology such as nuclear power as shown by experts. While lay people showed positive correlations between egalitarianism and perception of risks, experts showed negative correlations. The hypothesis of the culture theory about relations between worldviews and risk perception was confirmed only for lay people. The variances in risk perception explained by worldviews and also by trust were very different for both groups, specially in technology risks. Worldviews were significant predictors of risk perception for expert, but not for lay people. Contrary to worldviews, trust explained the risk perception for lay people, but not for experts. The results of present study were discussed in the context of culture theory and the characteristics of risk perception of the Korean people.

keywords
Worldviews, risk perception, culture theory, expert, knowledge, trust, Worldviews, risk perception, culture theory, expert, knowledge, trust, 세계관, 위험지각, 문화이론, 과학기술전문가, 지식, 신뢰

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