Cognitive and affective processes underlying risk perceptions and intentions of flood-prone households (a dual process approach)

From a socio-psychological perspective, this thesis has sought to unearth the core factors influencing householders’ response to flood risk in a bid to identify how a shift towards greater preparedness levels can be harnessed. In doing so, a framework was developed for understanding household decision making in flood-prone areas of South East Queensland, Australia. This framework illustrates the pathways by which household decision making is influenced by dual processes (affective and cognitive) operating at different levels of influence: 1. conjointly (and directly) shaping flood preparedness intentions; 2. mediating the (indirect) influence of other core factors (personal experience, subjective knowledge, self-efficacy and trust) on flood preparedness intentions; and, 3. being moderated by the influence of benefit perception (operationalized as “residential satisfaction”) on flood preparedness intentions. Additionally, the framework stresses the relevance of understating the role and the predictors of householders’ non-protective response (i.e. risk denial). In this vein, a shift from non-protective to protective behavioural intentions can be best realized.