Final answer:
The general public perceives a greater risk from a hazard when it A) has a clear cause-and-effect relationship, D) is unfamiliar or poorly understood, or is B) well understood by experts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The general public perceives a greater risk from a hazard when it:
- Has a clear cause-and-effect relationship: When a hazard has a clear cause-and-effect relationship, it means that people can easily understand how the hazard leads to negative consequences. This clear relationship helps the general public perceive the risk more accurately. For example, if smoking is known to cause lung cancer, people are more likely to perceive smoking as a greater risk.
- Is unfamiliar or poorly understood: Hazards that are unfamiliar or poorly understood tend to be seen as more risky because people do not have a good grasp of the potential consequences. When something is unfamiliar or poorly understood, people may imagine worst-case scenarios, which can increase their perception of risk.
- Is well understood by experts: When hazards are well understood by experts, their knowledge and expertise help inform the general public about the risks involved. When experts can communicate the potential harms and explain the necessary precautions, the general public can perceive the risk more accurately.
- Is heavily regulated: While heavy regulation may imply that a hazard is risky, it doesn't necessarily mean that the general public perceives it as more risky. The perception of risk is more influenced by the factors mentioned above.