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Testing a Structured Decision Approach: Value‐Focused Thinking for Deliberative Risk Communication

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  • Joseph L. Arvai
  • Robin Gregory
  • Timothy L. McDaniels

Abstract

Public participation is now part of many decision making processes for managing environmental and technical risks. This article describes a test of a strategy to improve the quality of public input by combining themes from risk communication with the prescriptive decision process of value‐focused thinking. It was hypothesized that participating in a structured, value‐focused risk communication approach would lead people to make more thoughtful, better informed, and hence higher quality decisions by helping them to consider and discuss a wider array of decision‐relevant issues and address key value trade‐offs. It is also anticipated that utilizing a value‐focused decision structure would make participants feel more comfortable with their decisions; more satisfied that their selected alternative reflected their key concerns; and, in the end, more satisfied with their decisions. To test these hypotheses, six groups comprised of 7 to 10 people participated in conventional “alternative‐focused” risk communication workshops and eight groups participated in similar “value‐focused” workshops. All workshops dealt with the management of risks to riverine salmon habitat from hydroelectric electricity generation. The results provided support for the hypotheses: the value‐focused decision structure led to more thoughtful and better informed risk management decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph L. Arvai & Robin Gregory & Timothy L. McDaniels, 2001. "Testing a Structured Decision Approach: Value‐Focused Thinking for Deliberative Risk Communication," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(6), pages 1065-1076, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:21:y:2001:i:6:p:1065-1076
    DOI: 10.1111/0272-4332.216175
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    Cited by:

    1. McDaniels, Timothy L. & Gregory, Robin & Arvai, Joseph & Chuenpagdee, Ratana, 2003. "Decision structuring to alleviate embedding in environmental valuation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(1), pages 33-46, August.
    2. Mason, Claire M. & Paxton, Gillian & Parsons, Richard & Parr, Joanna M. & Moffat, Kieren, 2014. "“For the benefit of Australians”: Exploring national expectations of the mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1-8.
    3. Aubert, Alice H. & Schmid, Sara & Lienert, Judit, 2024. "Can online interfaces enhance learning for public decision-making? Eliciting citizens’ preferences for multicriteria decision analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 314(2), pages 760-775.
    4. Lapinski, Maria Knight & Funk, Julie A. & Moccia, Lauren T., 2015. "Recommendations for the role of social science research in One Health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 51-60.
    5. Killemsetty, Namesh & Johnson, Michael & Patel, Amit, 2022. "Understanding housing preferences of slum dwellers in India: A community-based operations research approach," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 298(2), pages 699-713.
    6. Ananda, Jayanath & Herath, Gamini, 2003. "Incorporating stakeholder values into regional forest planning: a value function approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 45(1), pages 75-90, April.

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