Risk and culture: variations in dioxin risk perceptions, behavioral preferences among social groups in South Korea.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined variations in the perceptions of dioxin risk among social groups defined by geographical living location, environmental education, and occupation. Dioxin risk perceptions were analyzed according to values, risk awareness, knowledge, and behavioral preferences.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental survey was designed and conducted on individuals from seven experimental groups in Jeonju city, South Korea, including: people living near incineration facilities; people living far from incineration facilities; governmental experts; nongovernmental organization members; office workers in developmental institutes or banks; students who were enrolled in environmental-related classes; and students who were enrolled in business-related classes.


RESULTS
The results show variations among groups in values, awareness and behavioral preferences. Particular attention should be given to the result that groups with higher connectedness- to-nature values show higher willingness-to-act (WTA) for risk reduction. Result s can be summarized as follows. First, awareness is associated with one's geographical setting. Second, values and WTA behaviors are related to one's environmental-related education and occupation. Third, values are significantly related to WTA behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Different cultures, in terms of values or worldview, among groups influence their perceptions of dioxin risk and choices of risk reduction behaviors. It is important to consider values in communicating complicated long-term risk management involving public participation. Further research should be continuously conducted on the effects of multiple dimensions of values on one's WTA for risk reduction behaviors.
Department of Environmental Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea ; Department of Environmental Studies, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), Syracuse, NY, USA.
Seohyun
S
Park
Department of Environmental Engineering, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea.
Jong Guk
JG
Kim
Connectedness-to-nature; Cross-cultural risk perception; Dioxin risk; Environmental values; Risk reduction behavior