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Change in degree of trust about misconceptions on radioactivity

Fri, August 22, 8:30 to 10:30am, Intercontinental Hotel, Miró

Abstract

  We analyzed the articles in Japanese weekly magazines related to the accident of Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant of Tokyo electric company, and discussed their influence on society after 2 years from the accident. We also conducted web questionnaire about "risk uneasiness and the information needs" and reported a part of the results. In that questionnaire, we selected ten popular scientific misconceptions of the health effects of radioactivity and studied their levels of recognition, trustability, and information sources. Although they are not so widely known (30 % or less), we found that majority of those who know them believe them (65 % at highest).
  Interests in natural sciences at ordinary times and level of the scientific literacy are largely related to this. It is conspicuous in particular in the themes that are often associated with radioactivity such as deformity of the animals and plants.
  We also found that more people change their mind from distrust on these misconceptions to trust than from trust to distrust after a half year to one year from the accident. The most popular information sources are television and internet. In addition, we considered that family or friends might have strong influence on this changing of thoughts. In order to investigate the reason behind this change to trusting the scientific misconceptions in spite of the fact that scientifically correct information has been provided through many information channels, we conducted further web questionnaire about "trustability of scientific information".

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