An Analysis of Nuclear Risk Perception: With Focus on Developing Effective Policy Alternatives

This study examines the nature of risk perceptions associated with nuclear power. The purpose is to explore the relative importance of variables in predicting individual differences in the risk perceptions of nuclear power, and to examine the potential implications for policy. This study proposes to develop a more comprehensive understanding of variables that predict the risk perceptions associated with nuclear power. In this study, multivariate analyses are conducted. Dependent variable is the risk perceptions of nuclear power. Independent variables include perceived risk characteristics, perceptions of need for nuclear power, knowledge levels of nuclear power, trust in information sources and management, experiences (familiarity) with nuclear power, participation, perceptions of costs (disadvantage) and benefits (advantages), and demographics. The method used for data collection is a survey (structured interview) with 500 randomly selected individuals from the Youngkwang (YK) nuclear power plant in Korea. The results indicate several variables are significant. The potential policy implications of the findings are discussed.