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Perceptions of personal and public risk: Dissociable effects on behavior and well-being

Author

Listed:
  • Laura K. Globig

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Bastien Blain

    (University College London
    University College London)

  • Tali Sharot

    (University College London
    University College London)

Abstract

When faced with a global threat peoples’ perception of risk guides their response. When danger is to the self as well as to others two risk estimates are generated—to the self and to others. Here, we set out to examine how people’s perceptions of health risk to the self and others are related to their psychological well-being and behavioral response. To that end, we surveyed a large representative sample of Americans facing the COVID-19 pandemic at two times (N1 = 1145, N2 = 683). We found that people perceived their own risk to be relatively low, while estimating the risk to others as relatively high. These risk estimates were differentially associated with psychological well-being and behavior. In particular, perceived personal but not public risk was associated with people’s happiness, while both were predictive of anxiety. In contrast, the tendency to engage in protective behaviors were predicted by peoples’ estimated risk to the population, but not to themselves. This raises the possibility that people were predominantly engaging in protective behaviors for the benefit of others. The findings can inform public policy aimed at protecting people’s psychological well-being and physical health during global threats.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura K. Globig & Bastien Blain & Tali Sharot, 2022. "Perceptions of personal and public risk: Dissociable effects on behavior and well-being," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 213-234, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jrisku:v:64:y:2022:i:2:d:10.1007_s11166-022-09373-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s11166-022-09373-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. W. Kip Viscusi & Richard J. Zeckhauser, 2015. "The Relative Weights of Direct and Indirect Experiences in the Formation of Environmental Risk Beliefs," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 35(2), pages 318-331, February.
    2. W. Viscusi & Richard Zeckhauser, 2006. "National survey evidence on disasters and relief: Risk beliefs, self-interest, and compassion," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 33(1), pages 13-36, September.
    3. Wändi Bruine de Bruin & Htay-Wah Saw & Dana P. Goldman, 2020. "Political polarization in US residents’ COVID-19 risk perceptions, policy preferences, and protective behaviors," Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, Springer, vol. 61(2), pages 177-194, October.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pandemic; Decision-making; Risk perception; Well-being; Affect; Behavior; I – Health; Education and Welfare;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I - Health, Education, and Welfare

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