ABSTRACT
This chapter explains some cultural factors by summarizing a literature review conducted on culture and its relationship with risk communication in the United States. It contextualizes the review of literature by explaining the social constructionist perspective, and by defining and delimiting the terms “risk communication” and “culture.” The chapter describes some traditional ways that culture has been viewed and studied in risk communication and end with more recent views of how cultural factors may be incorporated into risk communication. One recent scholarly turn that is emphasized is towards an ecological perspective for risk communication that offers broader, contextual and social domains. A recent consideration in risk communication is that of the impact of intersectionality of identity: the multiplicative and intertwining effects of the multiple identities and cultures that influence an individual. Empowerment should be both a process as well as an outcome of risk communication.
