ABSTRACT
Research on risk can aid policy decisionmakers and the public by laying out technical, social, and value issues and by framing issues so that they can be readily comprehended. The basis of a risk analysis is the enumeration and assessment of the consequences of a hazardous event. Attitudes toward risk are affected by the way individuals perceive risks and benefits and by their ability to comprehend probabilistic statements. Acceptable risk for a new technology is assigned to be comparable to the risk associated with existing activities having a similar benefit to society. Disputes involving risk often end up in litigation, yet many classic legal concepts are difficult to apply in specific cases. Risk Assessments and Their Impact on Risk Management Policies. Behavior toward risk is affected by perceptions of risk and by the ability to understand the consequences of exposure to particular hazards.
