Cultural theory of risk as a heuristic for understanding perceptions of oil and gas development in Eastern Montana, USA

Abstract

This paper applies Douglas’ cultural theory of risk to understand perceptions of risk associated with oil and gas development in eastern Montana. Based on the analysis of interviews with 36 rural residents, findings show the dominant perception of risk is most closely aligned with an Individualist worldview. Despite direct experience with oil or wastewater spills, most interviewees described spills as “no big deal”, viewed nature as resilient, and felt that the economic benefits outweigh negative impacts. Cultural theory was a useful heuristic for understanding this dominant worldview, as well as identifying points of deviation. For example, interviewees discussed the benefits of landowner associations – a more Egalitarian approach to dealing with oil companies. Some landowners relied on external authorities (e.g., sheriff) when dealing with oil companies, revealing a Hierarchical approach to issues they face. Interviewees expressed frustration with the lack of enforcement of existing regulations, which can be interpreted as either support for - or indictment of - Hierarchical solutions. While the Individualist worldview is dominant, our qualitative analysis reveals the complex tensions at work among rural residents. The results suggest areas where policymakers, advocacy groups, and residents may find common ground to address potential environmental and health risks.

Cultural Theory's Contributions to Risk Analysis: A Thematic Review with Directions and Resources for Further Research

“…Notably, CT studies of risk perception are not limited to survey research. CT case studies of risk perception include examples covering hospitals (Rayner, 1986), AIDS (Douglas & Calvez, 1990), abortion (Stenvoll, 2002), livestock (Duckett et al., 2015), transportation (Adams, 1995), climate (Lazrus, 2015; McNeeley & Lazrus, 2014), water (Gyawali, 1999; Harrison & Burgess, 1994; Koehlera, Rayner, Katuva, Thomson, & Hope, 2018; Verweij, 2000a, 2000b), the environment (Iwaki, 2011), oil and gas exploration (McEvoy, Gilbertz, Anderson, Ormerod, & Bergmann, 2017), crime (Mars, 1982, 1997), war (Archibald & Richards, 2002; Fithen & Richards, 2005; Richards, 1999; Spalding, 2000), gender (Reardon & Govender, 2013), interethnic romance (Hakak, 2015a, 2015b), and finance (Abdelrehim, Linsley, & Verma, 2017; Linsley & Kewell, 2015; Linsley & Linsley, 2014; Linsley, Linsley, Beck, & Mollan, 2016; Linsley, McMurray, & Shrives, 2016; Linsley & Shrives, 2014; Linsley, Shrives, & Douglas, 2009).…”

Unconventional natural gas development and adverse birth outcomes in Pennsylvania: The potential mediating role of antenatal anxiety and depression

“…An individual's perception or opinion of UNGD likely affects their psychological response to this activity (Lai et al, 2017;McEvoy et al, 2017). For example, in Colorado, the true distance between an individual's home and UNGD did not predict risk perception, but individuals who perceived UNGD as located too close to their home reported lower quality of life (Mayer, 2016).…”

Integrating power-to-gas in the biogas value chain: analysis of stakeholder perception and risk governance requirements

“…These forms differ in the scope to which the individual is integrated into a social circle (group) and in the extent and density of social regulation and control (grid). The cross-tabulation of group and grid results in four basic types of social relationships (ways of life): "individualistic," "hierarchical," "egalitarian," and "fatalistic" [75][76][77]. These types can be assigned specific underlying assumptions about the stability and endangerment of natural systems (nature as benign, perverse/tolerant, ephemeral, or capricious) as well as different patterns of risk attribution.…”

“…The CT has been examined in studies discussing risk perception both among laypeople and experts [75][76][77] also in relation to risk assessment of bioenergy projects [81]. It has been associated with the polyrationality theory and the concept of rational choice, interpreting stakeholders' argumentations as perfectly logical and rational under consideration of people's interests and the legitimacy of their opinions and concerns [81][82][83].…”