Browsing by Author "Domingos, Samuel"
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- Extreme natural and man-made events and human adaptive responses mediated by information and communication technologies' use: A systematic literature reviewPublication . Gaspar, Rui; Yan, Zheng; Domingos, SamuelInformation and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are nowadays an interactive means through which humans respond to potentially stressful extreme events (e.g., natural or technological disasters). Despite growing research and reviews on ICTs' role, these often follow an event-specific approach, describing how or what people respond without explaining why they respond as they do, limiting a broader comprehension of human adaptation processes. Therefore, a systematic literature review on natural and man-made extreme events sought to identify: how people respond during extreme events through ICTs devices/platforms use, what ICTs-mediated responses take place during these, and why they respond in the way they do (i.e., the responses' adaptive functions). A database search identified 60 articles through three inclusion criteria: (1) report of events deviating in socio-physical parameters from “normal” circumstances; (2) type of ICTs devices/platforms used; and (3) longitudinal data collection method. A theory-driven content analysis showed that different ICT platforms may be used for different adaptive functions with a predominant function of allowing coordinating an individual's actions with the contingencies in the environment, through approach (e.g., problem solving) and avoidance (e.g., escape) ways of coping. ICTs seemingly are an important data source and means in enabling socio-physical systems to effectively respond to extreme events. PROSPERO CRD42016042455.
- Serving science to the public: Deliberations by a sample of older adults upon exposure to a serving size recommendation for meatPublication . Gaspar, Rui; Domingos, Samuel; Demétrio, PatríciaTo enable consumers to make informed decisions based on communications about food risks and particularly intake recommendations, it is essential that individuals understand the information presented to them. Thus, research into the way people make sense and understand newly received information is important from a public policy perspective. This is the case when dealing with scientific information destined for the general public, such as recommended food intake serving sizes provided in numerical format. Hence, this study analysed responses from exposure to information concerning red meat intake risks and a numerical serving size recommendation. The study analysed: 1) participants’ reported difficulties in understanding a recommended serving size of red meat (70 g/day); and 2) behavioural indicators of deliberation strategies used to manage uncertainty and make sense of the numerical information. A mixed qualitative-quantitative method collected data from an older adults’ sample through single in-person deliberative sessions. While quantitative measures indicated that the information was perceived as moderately easy to understand; a qualitative thematic content analysis with a closed coding procedure evidenced participants’ implicit difficulties in understanding the quantity recommendation. “Commonplace” arguments (e.g. using general arguments and remarks applicable to any context/theme) emerged as the most commonly used deliberative strategy, along with various other individual strategies apparently intended to reduce uncertainty about quantities. This type of deliberative approach provides a step towards developing policies to reduce citizens’ uncertainty when exposed to scientific information in numerical formats. Such deliberative strategies may also promote increased citizen engagement in communication activities and health policy making.
- The effect of likelihood and impact information on public response to severe weather warningsPublication . Taylor, Andrea; Summers, Barbara; Domingos, Samuel; Garrett, Natalie; Yeomans, SophieMeteorological services are increasingly moving away from issuing weather warnings based on the exceedance of meteorological thresholds (e.g., windspeed), toward risk-based (or “impact-based”) approaches. The UK Met Office’s National Severe Weather Warning Service has been a pioneer of this approach, issuing yellow, amber, and red warnings based on an integrated evaluation of information about the likelihood of occurrence and potential impact severity. However, although this approach is inherently probabilistic, probabilistic information does not currently accompany public weather warning communications. In this study, we explored whether providing information about the likelihood and impact severity of forecast weather affected subjective judgments of likelihood, severity, concern, trust in forecast, and intention to take protective action. In a mixed-factorial online experiment, 550 UK residents from 2 regions with different weather profiles were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 Warning Format conditions (Color-only, Text, Risk Matrix) and presented with 3 warnings: high-probability/moderate-impact (amber HPMI); low-probability/high-impact (amber); high-probability/high-impact (red). Amongst those presented with information about probability and impact severity, red high-likelihood/high-impact warnings elicited the strongest ratings on all dependent variables, followed by amber HPMI warnings. Amber low-likelihood/high-impact warnings elicited the lowest perceived likelihood, severity, concern, trust, and intention to take protective responses. Taken together, this indicates that UK residents are sensitive to probabilistic information for amber warnings, and that communicating that severe events are unlikely to occur reduces perceived risk, trust in the warning, and behavioral intention, even though potential impacts could be severe. We discuss the practical implications of this for weather warning communication.
- Understanding climate change adaptation: the role of citizens’ perceptions and appraisals about extreme weather eventsPublication . Domingos, Samuel; Gaspar, Rui; Maroco, J. P.; Beja, RitaClimate change is driving dramatic environmental changes and posing new demands to citizens, health authorities, and policy makers worldwide. This is due to an increased frequency, intensity, and duration of associated extreme weather events. Recent calls for better understanding of how citizens adapt to such demands and the role that psychological processes’ play in that adaptation, have been put forward. We contributed in this regard by (1) applying the Biopsychosocial Model of Challenge and Threat (e.g. Blascovich 2008) to the study of human responses (psychological, physiological, and behavioural) to extreme weather events; (2) using it as the conceptual basis for a mixed methods study aimed at exploring citizens’ perceptions, beliefs, and appraisals of the demands posed by such events and available resources to cope with them. Preliminary qualitative results are presented and potential implications for stakeholders and policy makers in the climate change domain are discussed. An example of how such conceptual and methodological approaches may contribute to developing evidence-based strategies for incrementing citizens’ resilience and adaptation to climate change, will be provided. This allow a better understanding of citizen appraisals and perceptions’ role in shaping adaptive behaviour, in order to provide them with the necessary personal and social resources to cope with extreme weather events and increment future resilience.