Jeff Miner
The Psychology of Radon.
Have we learned anything in the last 30 years about why most people would rather avoid radon than deal with it? I did some research and found two Rutgers University professors (emeritus) who have spent their careers studying why people sometimes react to high risk situations with apathy and to low risk situations with outrage. Radon is a good example of a high risk issue with a low outrage response.
Peter Sandman and Neil D. Weinstein have developed the theory that RISK = HAZARD + OUTRAGE. They have studied radon testing and mitigation and classify it as a HIGH HAZARD with LOW OUTRAGE issue.
Peter Sandman's paper on radon: http://www.psandman.com/index-PA.htm#rad
Paper on risk: http://www.psandman.com/index-PA.htm
It may be time to re-examine these 20 year old studies, as we try to understand why our current promotional efforts have not had the overwhelming success we so desire in alerting the public to radon awareness and action. I think there could be more participation from psychologists and behavioral scientists in designing radon promotional campaigns. We could invite these gentlemen to speak on radon risk communication at our Radon Symposium in September (they charge), or at the very least hold a round table discussion on radon risk communication (no, I'm am not volunteering to lead it).
The next great challenge for the radon community may not be how to design a better radon fan, or even medical advances in the study of lung cancer, but rather how to cause an apathetic public (and our public officials) to be "outraged" by the unacceptable risks of radon exposure. Psychology may be the key to that goal.
Jeff Miner
Radon At Tahoe
http://www.RadonAtTahoe.com
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