New Age Beliefs and Societal Risk Perception1

doi:10.1111/J.1559-1816.2008.00380.X

Paper

New Age Beliefs and Societal Risk Perception1

Published Aug 1, 2008 · Bruno Chauvin, D. Hermand, E. Mullet

Journal of Applied Social Psychology

Q2 SJR score

8

Citations

1

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

The New Age movement is a transpersonal movement focused on mystic awakening and human potential development. It has become an important component in modern risk discourse, as it often goes hand in hand with technology opposition and worries about technology risks. The present study examined the possible relationships between New Age beliefs and societal risk perception. It was shown that several hazards—particularly the ones at the center of current debates about security policies and environmental policies—were perceived as significantly riskier by the New Agers than by others. These (hot) hazards include nuclear waste storage, chemical plants, urban violence, genetically engineered organisms, marijuana, and hospital waste.

Observational Study

Study Snapshot

New Age beliefs significantly increase societal risk perception of hazards like nuclear waste storage, chemical plants, urban violence, genetically engineered organisms, marijuana, and hospital waste.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

New Age Beliefs and Societal Risk Perception1

References

Citations