Abstract
This Data Collection Instrument (DCI) publication outlines the development and application of a survey to study the differences between risk preferences of an individual making choices at the individual and community levels. Individuals and communities have different ideas about what risks they might be willing to take. When it comes to risk-taking, every individual has a different level of comfort, based on their unique experiences and values. Similarly, communities also have their unique attitudes towards risks based on those they serve and the constraints the community faces, as well as planning preferences. Consider a community planning a new park. Some residents might welcome the change, seeing it as an opportunity for recreation and socializing. Others might worry about increased traffic or noise and ultimately be more risk averse. Typically, community-level decisions may be made by an individual or a collaborative planning team on behalf of a larger community. Such decision makers may have personal risk preferences, but hold different concerns when making a community resilience decision on behalf of the community. This study helps us understand whether the decision-maker’s risk preference differs when they are making an individual-focused decisions versus when an entire community considered. Understanding these differences helps us create better plans for keeping communities safe and strong.
Christina Gore
Research Economist
I am a research economist in the Applied Economics Office at NIST, working on environmental, behavioral, and community resilience economics.