THE STUDY OF DISASTER RISK PERCEPTION PARADOX BASED ON PROTECTION MOTIVATION THEORY

Abstract

It suggests the existence of a risk perception paradox that high risk perception does not always lead to personal protective actions. The existence of a risk perception paradox implies that it is not enough for promoting personal protective actions just to improve risk perception. The aim of this study inspects the existence of a risk perception paradox from an interdisciplinary review of previous studies about risk perception and behavioral response regarding natural hazards in Japan. Then, points and frames of the previous studies pigeonhole based on the protection motivation theory, and the comprehension of personal protective actions is stimulated. Further, the precautionary evacuation behavior in Aso area is analyzed based on the protection motivation theory and the factors of the gap between their risk perception and behavior is found. Consequently, if coping appraisal is low, it is confirmed that there are instances where personal protective actions are spoiled even if thread appraisal is high. Therefore it is indicated that improvement of coping appraisal has a potential to dissolve the risk perception paradox.