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The Role of Interdisciplinary Analysis in Bridging the Gap Between the Technical and Human Sides of Risk Assessment

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  • Miller B. Spangler

Abstract

It is readily observable that there is a wide gulf between the manner by which the lay public and the manner by which technical experts assess the risks of complex technologies and assimilate these assessments in decisions regarding the acceptance or rejection of technological options. On the public side, this gap in methods and value assessments is a major source of distrust of technical experts and disaffection with the social management of technology. From the viewpoint of the technical experts who introduce or regulate technologies, this gap is both a cauldron of frustration and a perceived justification for paternalistic technocratic decision‐making that further alienates important segments of the public. It is the author's belief that unless our society learns how to progress in bridging these gaps within the framework of a comparative mode of risk‐cost‐benefit analysis of options, the potential net benefits of certain technologies such as commercial nuclear power could well be lost to our society. Research on public risk perception, while potentially an important component in achieving this objective, needs to be restructured from its present static orientation to meet the needs of forward‐looking decision‐making that accommodates dynamic learning processes of both the public and technical experts as well as the “learning curves” of technological improvements historically accompanying successful innovations. Moreover, no less attention needs to be devoted to improved benefit assessment along with ethical and equity considerations in decision‐making involving the reconciliation of conflict between individual and societal interests. This paper examines the vital importance of interdisciplinary analysis in fulfilling these needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Miller B. Spangler, 1982. "The Role of Interdisciplinary Analysis in Bridging the Gap Between the Technical and Human Sides of Risk Assessment," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(2), pages 101-114, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:2:y:1982:i:2:p:101-114
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1982.tb01371.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miller B. Spangler, 1981. "Risks and Psychic Costs of Alternative Energy Sources for Generating Electricity," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 1), pages 37-60.
    2. Robert B. Cumming, 1981. "Is Risk Assessment A Science?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(1), pages 1-3, March.
    3. Miller B. Spangler, 1981. "The Role of Syndrome Management and the Future of Nuclear Energy," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 1(3), pages 179-188, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolas Piluso, 2023. "Confrontation between shareholders and local residents over safety investments in high-risk industries," Economic Analysis Letters, Anser Press, vol. 2(3), pages 54-66, July.
    2. Robert B. Cumming, 1982. "Risk and the Social Sciences," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2(2), pages 47-48, June.
    3. Nicolas Piluso & Clément Rau, 2020. "The Effects of the Consultation with Residents on the Prevention of Industrial Risks [Les effets de la consultation avec les riverains sur la prévention des risques industriels]," Post-Print hal-02962371, HAL.

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