Hazard perception and its economic and cultural determinants
Hazard perception is how much danger a person thinks a natural hazard poses to them. Wealth, religion, experience, and culture all shape that judgement differently for different people.
Real World
Farmers on the fertile slopes of Mount Merapi in Indonesia knowingly live within the exclusion zone because volcanic ash enriches the soil, making crop yields so high that the economic benefit outweighs the perceived risk.
Exam Focus
Always state whether a factor raises or lowers perceived risk and explain the mechanism — examiners penalise unsupported assertions.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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