Assessment of Risk Perceptions Based Upon Prior Flood Occurences [sic] in the Region of South-Central Texas: The Influence of Cartographic Visualizations and Experience on Accurate Risk Perception

Abstract

Natural hazards are normally occurring events posing a range of risks to society. Risk perception studies are especially useful for determining actions people may or may not undertake, due to a lack of understanding or incorrect perception of risk. The majority of risk communication and risk perception research conducted in the past twenty-five years have utilized traditional forms of cartographic products. This research focuses on participants experience with flood hazards, and how new techniques in Geographic Information Systems and Cartographic Visualization might influence one’s perception of risk associated with historical precipitation events and their potential for flooding. The purpose of this research will be to expand upon theoretical risk perception studies, by focusing on how levels of experience contribute to one’s ability to accurately assess risk associated with precipitation events. The findings from this research will also contribute to the theoretical and applied risk perception and risk communication literature, as well as literature and applied research relating to cartographic visualization.