The Assessment of Risk Perception: Influence of Answer Format, Risk Perspective and Unrealistic Optimism

Abstract

Risk is a very complex construct and, as such, can be studied from various perspectives. In the present chapter we discuss the influences of answer format on risk assessment, the chosen perspective from which a risk is assessed and describe two systems of probabilistic reasoning. Although many different measurements exist today, there is no clear methodological advice as to which kind of instrument is appropriate in a given context. As a suggestion, we present the risk assessment matrix (RAM), a model developed to explore the impact of both answer format and risk perspective on risk assessment. The RAM combines both factors and addresses the question of how the measurement of subjective perceived risk is influenced by psychological factors triggered by methodological aspects. (c) Springer Nature Switzerland AG