Link between religious beliefs and the "illusion of control"

In the same manner (see source document for full description), we can discuss the relationship between religious beliefs and the cognitive factor called 'illusion of control'. This factor represents people's tendency to overestimate the control they have over events, even those that are (partially) governed by chance (Langer, 1975). This feeling of control can motivate people to involve in protective behaviour in the context of disasters (Milfont, 2012; Whitmarsh & O'Neill, 2010). On the contrary, as mentioned, religious beliefs are related to the feeling that 'someone else' is in control, which often manifests in a lower number of protective behaviours (Paradise, 2015).

Note: See source document for full reference.

Cultural Factors: Norms/values

Hazards: Natural hazards, Man-made non-intentional hazards or emergency situations, Man-made intentional hazards

Disaster Phases: Prevention, Preparedness

Types of Actors Concerned: Non-active citizens

Recommendations:

• Develop risk assessments methodologies, which consider cultural factors, the manner in which people cognitively process information and which employ a gender perspective