Stone, ER, Bruine de Bruin, W orcid.org/0000-0002-1601-789X, Rogers, AM et al. (2 more authors) (2017) Designing Graphs to Communicate Risks: Understanding How the Choice of Graphical Format Influences Decision Making. Risk Analysis, 37 (4). pp. 612-628. ISSN 0272-4332
Abstract
Previous research suggests that the choice of graphical format for communicating risk information affects both understanding of the risk magnitude and the likelihood of acting to decrease risk. However, the mechanisms through which these effects work are poorly understood. To explore these mechanisms using a real-world scenario, we examined the relative impact of two graphical displays for depicting the risk of exposure to unexploded ammunition during potential land redevelopment. One display depicted only the foreground information graphically (a bar graph of the number of people harmed), and a second depicted the foreground and background graphically (a stacked bar graph representing both the number harmed and at risk). We presented 296 participants with either the foreground-only or the foreground and background graphical display and measured a broad set of outcome variables, examining (1) the graphical display effect on each of the outcome measures and (2) the pathways by which any display effects work to influence decision making. We found that the foreground-only graphical display increased perceived likelihood and experienced fear, which produced greater worry, which in turn increased risk aversion. In addition, a positive evaluation of the communication materials increased support for policies related to land redevelopment, whether those policies were risk-taking or risk-mitigating. Finally, the foreground-only graphical display decreased understanding of the risk magnitude, showing that approaches to accomplish one risk communication goal (promoting risk-averse decisions) may do so at the expense of another goal (increasing understanding).
Metadata
Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 Society for Risk Analysis. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Stone, E. R., Bruine de Bruin, W., Wilkins, A. M., Boker, E. M. and MacDonald Gibson, J. (2016), Designing Graphs to Communicate Risks: Understanding How the Choice of Graphical Format Influences Decision Making. Risk Analysis. doi: 10.1111/risa.12660, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12660. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Risk Magnitudes, Display Formats, Graphs, Risk Communication, Unexploded Ammunition |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Business (Leeds) > Management Division (LUBS) (Leeds) > Management Division Decision Research (LUBS) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 09 Jun 2016 12:43 |
Last Modified: | 10 Nov 2018 01:38 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12660 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Identification Number: | https://doi.org/10.1111/risa.12660 |