Social and cultural influences

Positivists assert that the risks are directly observable and measurable science is provable9. Relativists hold the view that scientific knowledge is bounded by paradigms of our understanding of the physical world [6]. Paradigms are incommensurable, so scientific discoveries are therefore always relative [7]. Two forms of relativism are differentiated constrained [6] and unconstrained [8]. The latter approach holds that the real world is 100% constructed through social and cultural influences [9]. The three approaches of positivism, constrained relativism and unconstrained relativism are schematically represented in Figure 1.1. 

Recent research on motivation theories has provided more elaborate models of the factors which drive human behavior and has taken into account issues of individual differences and the influence of the social and cultural... 

It may be difficult to obtain a high level of participation in the workforce, because social and cultural attitudes concerning sex and reproduction influence willingness to participate in study groups. Men who are planning to have children, as well as men who are concerned about reproductive problems or possible ill effects of exposure, may be more likely to participate. Unless controlled, such biased participation can lead to misrepresentation of risk associated with exposure (US NRC, 1991 Lin etal., 1996). 

The role of community and cultural influences on inhalant use remains uncertain. Some researchers attribute higher use rates among Latinos to poverty, lack of opportunity, and social problems, rather than ethnicity. Others have found traits that distinguish families with greater rates of inhalant abuse, regardless of economic... 

Park, M. (2000) Social and cultural factors influencing tourists souvenir purchasing behavior A comparative study on Japanese Omiyage and Korean Sunmul. Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing 9 (1/2), 81-92. 

A further divide between risk analysts arises between realism and constructionism, but this debate can be seen as unifying positivist and relativist approaches. Constructionism considers how social and cultural perspectives influence risk definitions and interpretations [12]. In comparison, realists exclude social and cultural phenomena in their reference of risk, but do acknowledge their existence [12]. Constructionism resembles constrained relativism and does not represent the paradigms of the unconstrained relativists. For positivists and realists, acknowledging risk perceptions provides a potential framework to incorporate the risk perceptions into their process of risk analysis because risk perceptions can be subject to scientific analysis as social phenomena. 

Risk assessment evaluates risk in terms of hazard and exposure, but reference to risk levels must account for different perceptions of risk as well as scientific uncertainties in risk assessment. In short, this research project considers the importance of social and institutional processes in influencing risk perceptions and risk acceptability. This book therefore takes a constrained relativist approach by incorporating risk perceptions in the research framework. An unconstrained relativist perspective would imply that no scientific study is reliable or robust. By contrast, a constrained relativist approach can provide a useful basis for examining the different social and cultural factors involved in regulatory risk management. 

Social and cultural factors shaping risk tolerability and influencing the implementation of risk management measures. 

F We are improving our ability to rid our definitions of biases, but due to the influence of social and cultural factors on alcohol and other drug use... 

Empirical evidence (Suter, 2006 NAS, 2006) shows that social and cultural factors appear to have more influence on youth (males and girls) motivations and... 

To know the social and cultural conditions which influence the decision of women pursuing engineering studies. The DEMANDA project (2009-2010) carried out at the Polytechnic University has revealed that women s decision is still very much tied to social and cultural traditions, as has already been explained. 

Simon, S. and Simon, R., Improving safety through innovative behavioral and cultural approaches, presented at the National Safety Council Congress and Exposition, Orlando, FL, October 1992. Staub, E., Helping a distressed person social, personality, and stimulus determinants, in Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, Vol. 7, Berkowitz, L., Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1974. Staub, E., Positive Social Behaviors and Morality Social and Personal Influence, Academic Press, New York, 1978. 

Electroencephalogram measures have been shown to be sensitive to some forms of neurological insult, and they have been used in the diagnosis of a variety of neurological disorders. Other neurophysiological measures, such as brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP), and pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (PREP), are supposed to be stable, relatively age-independent, and free from social or cultural influences. 

Running targeted public education campaigns, which take into account cultural beliefs and the influence of social factors. Education about the use of medicines may be introduced into the health education component of school curricula or into adult education programmes, such as literacy courses. 

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