Communicating Seismic Risk Information: The Effect of Risk Comparisons on Risk Perception Sensitivity

Communicating seismic risk to individuals can be difficult for an institution because it involves providing technical and scientific information, including the low probability of adverse event, that is not always easy understand. One way facilitate understanding probabilities provide comparisons with occurrence other more familiar events. In a randomized trials experiment, we investigated effect set on their sensitivity different levels (1 in 100, 1 1,000, 10,000). The findings show increased individual information about likelihood experiencing event. Our are explained by evaluability hypothesis, which states single value better understood if recipient given some reference data evaluate it. results have implications disaster communication, ways increase awareness and, consequently, prevention.