Effects of Perceived Economic Harms and Benefits on Issue Involvement, Use of Information Sources, and Actions: A Study in Risk Communication

Abstract

Using a telephone survey of 203 residents in Point Comfort and Port Lavaca, Texas, we examined the effect of perceived economic benefits or losses on issue involvement and motivation to use information sources and take action. Results indicate that perceptions of the effect that a chemical plant—as a source of risk—has on economic benefits or losses increase cognitive involvement and motivate people to strategically use information and take action. A curvilinear relation was found between involvement and economic benefits. People who perceive financial impact show high involvement (both positive and negative); those who perceive little or no economic impact experience lower involvement. People with high negative involvement are more likely to take action against the plant and become activists. As the basis of involvement, we asked people to consider financial loss or gain, as well as environrnental impact. We also compared the information-use and action-taking options of general publics to involved publics. This analysis is interpreted to confirm and expand situational theory.