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The Determinants of Trust and Credibility in Environmental Risk Communication: An Empirical Study

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Book cover Scientific Uncertainty and Its Influence on the Public Communication Process

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASID,volume 86))

Abstract

A major factor determining outcomes in environmental controversies is the trust and credibility of organizations involved in the debate. Given the importance of trust and credibility in environmental decision making, the purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of trust and credibility. Specifically, the study hypothesizes that trust and credibility are based on three factors: knowledge and expertise; openness and honesty; and concern and care. Using empirical data from a national survey, the study supports this hypothesis. The study also supports the hypothesis that an important method for improving perceptions of trust and credibility is to provide information that is contrary to negative stereotypes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Risk Communication, Columbia University, New York, NewYork, USA

    Vincent T. Covello & Richard G. Peters

Authors
  1. Vincent T. Covello
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  2. Richard G. Peters
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sublet & Associates, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Virginia H. Sublet

  2. University of Cincinatti, Ohio, USA

    Virginia H. Sublet

  3. Center for Risk Communication, Columbia University New York, New York, USA

    Vincent T. Covello

  4. University of California, Berkeley, California, USA

    Vincent T. Covello

  5. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta, USA

    Tim L. Tinker

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© 1996 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Covello, V.T., Peters, R.G. (1996). The Determinants of Trust and Credibility in Environmental Risk Communication: An Empirical Study. In: Sublet, V.H., Covello, V.T., Tinker, T.L. (eds) Scientific Uncertainty and Its Influence on the Public Communication Process. NATO ASI Series, vol 86. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8619-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8619-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-4737-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-015-8619-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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