Attitude Survey

Running Head: ATTITUDE SURVEY

Attitude Survey: Safety Perception

PSY 475

September 8, 2014

Margaret Tribout

Attitude Survey: Safety Perception

In today’s society, people are more exposed to new experiences, places, and interactions with different cultures. With increase of human population, every day, we are at a higher risk of robbery, rapes, racial attacks, natural disasters, etc. Feeling safe has become a principal issue in our lives as well as shelter, having financial stability, and even having a partner to share our lives. Safety is defined as being protected, not being exposed to, or at risk of any harmful situation (Slovic P & Peters E, 2006). Never the less, the meaning of safety has been expanding to not just being protected; also it means to avoid and prevent any harmful situation (i.e. being assaulted). But are we really taking safety measurements to prevent harmful situations in our lives? Something as simple as the use of a fire extinguisher can save a life.

Perceptions vary from person to person causing different opinions or views about the same situation. Perception is about changing the way people see things, shifting attitudes and creating recognition (Henwood L, Parkhill A, & Pidgeon N., 2008). Safety perception has increased over the years mostly after the terrorist attack on 9/11. People are more anxious to feel protected and they want to take the right measurements to meet this criterion. People are buying more guns, house alarms, pocketknives, and even attending self-defensive classes. The majority of incidents have been caused by the lack of our knowledge and caution. Being prepared and informed of what happens around us can lead us to a better judgment of a harmful situation. The greater the perception of safety the more chances of recognizing dangerous conditions.

Purpose of the Survey

Safety perceptions can be expressed in various ways as evaluation of situations, anticipated behaviors in risks situations, or...