Cultural differences in perceived risk of terrorism

Cultural differences in perceived risk of terrorism were addressed in part of the research conducted by Gierlach and colleagues in 2010 (Gierlach et al., 2010). In this study, they investigated the optimism bias and perceived risk of natural disasters and terrorist attacks among Japanese, Argentinean, and North American health workers. Those countries were selected since they differ regarding their dominant cultural value North America representing an individualistic culture, while Japan was selected as an example of collectivistic culture. Argentina was selected as a country with both individualistic and collectivistic cultural traditions. The selected countries additionally differ in the distribution of actual risk, which was measured through the overall frequency and recency of terrorist attacks (Gierlach et al., 2010). In relation to Japan and Argentina, North America had the largest number of terrorist attacks both in earlier and recent history, hence it was expected that the perceived risk of terrorism will be the highest in the group of North American health workers (Gierlach et al., 2010).

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values, Ethnicity

Hazards: Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention

Types of Actors Concerned: Healthcare and emergency services, Active citizens

Recommendations:

• Develop guidelines for disaster practitioners that take into consideration the different needs of and approaches to different ethnical groups
• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective