Risk compensation postulates that everyone has a "risk thermostat" and that safety measures that do not affect the setting of the thermostat will be circumvented by behaviour that re-establishes the level of risk with which people were originally comfortable. It explains why, for example, motorists drive faster after a bend in the road is straightened. Cultural theory explains risk-taking behaviour by the operation of cultural filters. It postulates that behaviour is governed by the probable costs and benefits of alternative courses of action which are perceived through filters formed from all the previous incidents and associations in the risk-taker's life.; "Risk" should be of interest to many readers throughout the social sciences and in the world of industry, business, engineering, finance and public administration, since it deals with a fundamental part of human behaviour that has enormous financial and economic implications.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Les H
Format:Paperback
Society in general seeks to quantify risk. This book shows why most such exercises are completely futile because of the phenomenon of 'risk compensation'. In brief, make something safer and humans typically respond by taking more risks elsewhere to compensate.
I recommend this book unreservedly. Its one of the very few I have come across which has a supremely important point to make and makes it in a clear, well-argued and compact way, supported by lots of interesting data; a revelation. Buy it now, it is every bit as relevant now as it was when it was written.
I recommend this book unreservedly. Its one of the very few I have come across which has a supremely important point to make and makes it in a clear, well-argued and compact way, supported by lots of interesting data; a revelation. Buy it now, it is every bit as relevant now as it was when it was written.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Guy Chapman
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It's incredible how many well-meaning attempts to make society "safer" fail, foundering on society's apparent unwillingness to be safe. Adams not only tells us what's going wrong, but actually describes the ways in which risk taking behaviour can be understood and managed.
Of particular interest is the chapter on seat belt laws. Once you've read that, I guarantee you will be hooked.
Of particular interest is the chapter on seat belt laws. Once you've read that, I guarantee you will be hooked.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anyone who can grasp the concepts discussed in this book should read it; it has universal relevance. Adams strips bare the very shaky assumptions upon which much risk assessment is based in the world. It was a shock to me, and I expect it will be a shock to most people. To use a cliche: This book changed my life. More accurately, it changed my world-view. If you need more convincing, take a look at the commendations on the back cover. Any book that can debunk so much of conventional doctrine on road safety, environmentalism, medicine, and so on, yet draw such acclaim from such a diverse range of specialist publications is a book to be reckoned with! As a final note, the book is really very small. However, it is brief and to-the-point; his two hundred pages are worth a thousand from most writers.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book for Social Work
This book is not the easiest of reads with small print and numerous graphs and charts, however it does review risk in society and
looks at U.Beck and A. Read more
looks at U.Beck and A. Read more
Published 18 months ago by dawn
4.0 out of 5 stars
no statistical knowledge required
This book has been out for quite a while, and I have little to add to the previous reviews.
I would encourage you to read it, especially if you have no previous statistical... Read more
I would encourage you to read it, especially if you have no previous statistical... Read more
Published on 3 April 2010 by James-philip Harries
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fresh Ideas for a society obsessed.
I attended a lecture of John Adams recently which led to me reading the book. It is really brilliant. Read more
Published on 12 Feb 2009 by Luke says
5.0 out of 5 stars
The argument for rational fatalism
I've just finished reading "Risk" by John Adams and "Fooled by Randomness" by Nicholas Taleb. They make good companions. Both are illuminating and refreshingly entertaining. Read more
Published on 16 May 2007 by Risk-Junkie
2.0 out of 5 stars
Simply wrong on two fundamental points
I read "Risk" a couple of weeks ago and quickly realised that it had a lot to say about the author's personal battles down the decades with people who disagreed with him. Read more
Published on 22 April 2007 by Matthew Leitch
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must-read
I am an economist, and found the nature and subject of this book fascinating. It really is an important and powerful work.
Published on 27 Mar 2004 by Mr Anthony J Evans
4.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent and thought provoking book
Risk is poorly understood, and decisions arre often made on the basis of misunderstanding. Adams explores common misconceptions (seatbelts, helmets, power) and exposes many of the... Read more
Published on 6 Oct 1999 by "macrecumbent"
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