hazard perception

The view which an individual has of a natural or man-made hazard. A person may have a high perception of a hazard which occurs often, but still may suppress knowledge of such occurrences because of a desire to remain in a particular location. It is not the hazard as such which influences behaviour but the assessment of its likelihood and extent. San Francisco was rebuilt after 1906 partly because buildings were then constructed which could to some extent survive earthquakes, and partly through a desire not to think of the risks. Later events have shown that the risks are very real. See cognitive dissonance.