Perception and communication of risk, and the importance of dependability

Studies of risk perception and risk communication often focus on differences between ‘expert’ and ‘non-expert’ points of view, and these differences are often attributed to flawed perceptions of risk and flawed cognitive processes. However, an alternative view is presented in this paper, centred on a dependability hypothesis that most observers view risk rationally with regard to the dependability of relevant safety measures. The paper reviews the historical development of work on risk perception and risk communication, and discusses the limitations of quantitative approaches, with particular reference to applications in the field of structural engineering. The fundamental importance of dependability is discussed, and it is concluded that risk analysis and risk communicators need to address the critical issues of dependability and trust.