CULTURAL VARIABLES RELATED TO RISK AND DISASTER. TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF CULTURALLY INFORMED COMMUNICATION
CULTURAL VARIABLES RELATED TO RISK AND DISASTER. TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF CULTURALLY INFORMED COMMUNICATION

Summary/Abstract: This paper provides a multi-disciplinary overview of existing knowledge on cultural factors that shape and influence citizens’ risk perceptions, emotions, and risk behavior in the context of man-made, natural and technical disasters. The aim of the study is to explore to what extent the effect of culturally-informed risk perceptions are known and taken up by disaster managers in their risk communication, and how – in turn – their own cultures (i.e. cultural aspects within disaster management units) influence the effectiveness of disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Additionally, given the fact that cultural factors can not only inhibit successful risk communication in disaster situations but may also be beneficial to disaster preparation, response and recovery – taking into account the considerable strength of cultural ties and values – the paper also explores cultural dimensions and cultural variables that are, or can be, used for capacity building, defining, and enhancing the specific cultural ties between disaster managers and disaster victims.

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