ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between risk cognition and distance from the source of the threat or hazard using an experienced population, the residents in the vicinity of the Three Mile Island (TMI) plant. The natural hazards literature acknowledges that individuals’ cognition of risk is linked to the coping action taken to protect themselves from that risk. When risk cognition is analyzed by zone, levels of cognition decline with increasing distance from the plant. Residents were first asked which of several statements best described their understanding of the frequency of nuclear power plant accidents in the United States. Despite considerable social science research effort, a number of questions remain unanswered concerning emergency response planning and the behavior of individuals as a result of the March 1979 accident at TMI. In order to more fully examine risk cognition, an index of risk was computed.
