This proposal examines the effects of prior beliefs and variations in information acquisition behavior as keys to understanding risk perceptions among english- and spanish- speaking farm workers in California. The project addresses an important general concern in risk communication, which is that individual and group differences have largely been left unaddressed by current models of risk perception. As a result, little is known about the contribution of cultural background, prior belief structures, or the consistency between risk messages and prior beliefs to the effectiveness of risk communication strategies. These topics are addressed in this project using a model of risk perceptions that extends the current psychological paradigm by incorporating additional cultural and behavioral concerns. This model then will be tested using a series of field experiments that will explore individual differences in risk judgments not associated with demographic characteristics. Pre-tests of several of the experimentals already have been run, leading to refinements in the hypotheses as well as data of interest on its own merit. The results of the study will include both additions to general risk management decision making, leading to improvements in the development of risk communication strategies, and additions to specific knowledge concerning the risk perceptions of farm workers and their understanding of pesticide hazards.
