Social amplification of risk: role of news media and social media
Social amplification of risk framework
- Amplification stations: things that intensify or dampen someone’s perception of risk
- Heuristics like availability or effect as well as social institutions like the media or
culture can act as amplification stations
- Risk can lead to ripple effects in the form of stigma, loss of trust, or impacts on
commerce
- Risk is a social construct rather than a statistical calculation
Example:
The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster was initially caused by an earthquake and tsunami,
but the media focused its attention on the subsequent nuclear disaster. This led to
stigma against nuclear power, less trust in energy authorities, and a reduction in
nuclear energy use worldwide.
Determinants of reaction mechanisms
- People rely on emotional response and ease of recall under uncertainty rather than
statistical probability
- Uncontrollable or high dread risks trigger a more intense reaction than risks that
appear to be voluntary or controllable
- Trusting authorities determines whether disaster management will be cooperative or
defiant
Example:
The public reacts negatively to a vaccine during a pandemic because they imagine
vivid stories of side effects (availability heuristic), fear the unknown technology
(dread), and believe the pharmaceutical company values profit over results (low
trust).
Agenda setting in mass media
- Media heightens availability heuristic by telling the public what to think about
- The amount of coverage and placement (i.e. front page) of a particular risk can make
the public think that it is important and deserves concern and demand for action
- Can pressure policy makers to address risks that are framed to be important at the
expense of risks that are more statistically probable
Example:
The number of shark attacks in 2001 were consistent with previous years, but
increased media coverage of shark attacks (availability bias) made the public
demand government intervention to reduce future attacks.
News value of a disaster
- Most high news value disasters are dramatic, visual, and easily recalled
- Emotional charges like fear and dread make risks seem more news worthy
- A leading contributor to the availability heuristic
Example:
An airplane crash draws a lot of media attention due to the high number of deaths
and its unusual and unexpected nature, whereas a car crash is not deemed news
worthy since it seems relatively mundane in comparison.
Mass psychogenic illness
Social amplification of risk framework
- Amplification stations: things that intensify or dampen someone’s perception of risk
- Heuristics like availability or effect as well as social institutions like the media or
culture can act as amplification stations
- Risk can lead to ripple effects in the form of stigma, loss of trust, or impacts on
commerce
- Risk is a social construct rather than a statistical calculation
Example:
The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster was initially caused by an earthquake and tsunami,
but the media focused its attention on the subsequent nuclear disaster. This led to
stigma against nuclear power, less trust in energy authorities, and a reduction in
nuclear energy use worldwide.
Determinants of reaction mechanisms
- People rely on emotional response and ease of recall under uncertainty rather than
statistical probability
- Uncontrollable or high dread risks trigger a more intense reaction than risks that
appear to be voluntary or controllable
- Trusting authorities determines whether disaster management will be cooperative or
defiant
Example:
The public reacts negatively to a vaccine during a pandemic because they imagine
vivid stories of side effects (availability heuristic), fear the unknown technology
(dread), and believe the pharmaceutical company values profit over results (low
trust).
Agenda setting in mass media
- Media heightens availability heuristic by telling the public what to think about
- The amount of coverage and placement (i.e. front page) of a particular risk can make
the public think that it is important and deserves concern and demand for action
- Can pressure policy makers to address risks that are framed to be important at the
expense of risks that are more statistically probable
Example:
The number of shark attacks in 2001 were consistent with previous years, but
increased media coverage of shark attacks (availability bias) made the public
demand government intervention to reduce future attacks.
News value of a disaster
- Most high news value disasters are dramatic, visual, and easily recalled
- Emotional charges like fear and dread make risks seem more news worthy
- A leading contributor to the availability heuristic
Example:
An airplane crash draws a lot of media attention due to the high number of deaths
and its unusual and unexpected nature, whereas a car crash is not deemed news
worthy since it seems relatively mundane in comparison.
Mass psychogenic illness
