Effect of video presentations on knowledge and public attitudes toward radioactive waste storage

Author

Zannes, Estelle ; Kelsey, Charles ; Goss, Blaine

Author_Institution

New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque, NM, USA

fYear

1993

fDate

13-15 Oct 1993

Firstpage

120

Lastpage

126

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine whether short video presentations of facts about radiation and WIPP (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant) and WIPP transportation would increase knowledge and change attitudes regarding the storage of radioactive waste; and (2) to determine the effect of various audio and visual techniques employed in the video presentations on knowledge acquisition and opinion. Changes in knowledge and attitudes toward radioactive waste and the WIPP produced by viewing three video presentations have been measured by showing the tapes to selected viewing groups. The first video presents facts about natural radioactivity; the second presents facts about WIPP; and the third presents facts about the transporting of waste to WIPP. Each video is approximately four minutes long. These initial studies have demonstrated that four-minutes-long videos can change public knowledge and opinion, and that these changes can be measured and quantified

Keywords

natural radioactivity hazards; nuclear materials transportation; radioactive waste storage; technical presentation; WIPP; Waste Isolation Pilot Plant; four-minutes-long videos; knowledge acquisition; natural radioactivity; opinion; public attitudes; radioactive waste storage; video presentations; Professional communication; Radioactive pollution;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Security Technology, 1993. Security Technology, Proceedings. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1993 International Carnahan Conference on

Conference_Location

Ottawa, Ont.

Print_ISBN

0-7803-1479-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/CCST.1993.386814

Filename

386814