Examine the Role of Expert and Lay Knowledge in Understanding and Managing Risk.
Examine the role of expert and lay knowledge in understanding and managing risk.
Contents Page
Introduction 3
Risk 3-4
What is risk?
How do we understand risk?
How do we manage risk?
Expert Knowledge 4-5
What is it?
Advantages of expert knowledge
Disadvantage of expert knowledge
Lay Knowledge 5-6
What is it?
Advantages of lay knowledge
Disadvantages of lay knowledge
Beck’s Theory of a Risk society 6
Case Study: Allotments the London Borough of Hackney. 7
Who has the knowledge?
What are the risks?
What is the evidence?
Conclusion
Case Study: Sun tanning. 8-9
Who has the knowledge?
What are the risks?
What is the evidence?
Conclusion
Conclusion 9
References 10
Introduction.
This report will investigate how expert and lay knowledge can be used to understand and manage risk in today 's risk society. Using the course materials to explain how different types of knowledge influence how we assess risk.
Risk
What is risk?
Risk is ‘a state in which there is a possibility of known danger or harm, which if avoided may lead to benefits.’ (Bromley et al 2009) A risk can be visible, such as an injury sustained by falling off a bicycle, or invisible such as the link between sunbathing and skin cancer. The level of potential harm will affect the degree of risk felt.
How do we understand risk?
In today 's society risk is almost always associated with a negative outcome. So when we are partaking in any activity we automatically compare the risk to the potential benefit. In order to understand risk we have to gain knowledge about the potential harm, this may be either expert or lay knowledge.
How do we manage risk?
By comparing the potential benefits against the potential harm of an activity we can decide whether to partake in that activity. One example of managing risk involves cycling and how risk is reduced by wearing a helmet. In this
Contents Page
Introduction 3
Risk 3-4
What is risk?
How do we understand risk?
How do we manage risk?
Expert Knowledge 4-5
What is it?
Advantages of expert knowledge
Disadvantage of expert knowledge
Lay Knowledge 5-6
What is it?
Advantages of lay knowledge
Disadvantages of lay knowledge
Beck’s Theory of a Risk society 6
Case Study: Allotments the London Borough of Hackney. 7
Who has the knowledge?
What are the risks?
What is the evidence?
Conclusion
Case Study: Sun tanning. 8-9
Who has the knowledge?
What are the risks?
What is the evidence?
Conclusion
Conclusion 9
References 10
Introduction.
This report will investigate how expert and lay knowledge can be used to understand and manage risk in today 's risk society. Using the course materials to explain how different types of knowledge influence how we assess risk.
Risk
What is risk?
Risk is ‘a state in which there is a possibility of known danger or harm, which if avoided may lead to benefits.’ (Bromley et al 2009) A risk can be visible, such as an injury sustained by falling off a bicycle, or invisible such as the link between sunbathing and skin cancer. The level of potential harm will affect the degree of risk felt.
How do we understand risk?
In today 's society risk is almost always associated with a negative outcome. So when we are partaking in any activity we automatically compare the risk to the potential benefit. In order to understand risk we have to gain knowledge about the potential harm, this may be either expert or lay knowledge.
How do we manage risk?
By comparing the potential benefits against the potential harm of an activity we can decide whether to partake in that activity. One example of managing risk involves cycling and how risk is reduced by wearing a helmet. In this
References: ‘A risky world?’ (2009) Exploring Social Lives [Audio CD 1], Milton Keynes, The Open University. Bromley, S., Jeffries, E., Meegan, J. and Staples, M. (2009) Learning Companion 3, Introducing the social sciences, Milton Keynes, The Open University. Carter, S. and Jordan, T. (2009) ‘Living with risk and risky living’, in Bromley, S., Clarke, J., Hinchliffe, S., and Taylor, S,. (eds) Exploring Social Lives, Milton Keynes, The Open University. http://www.longevity.about.com/od/researchandmedicine/a/vitamin_d.htm accessed on 11July 2012 Word count: 1368 Self-Reflection. I am still struggling to stick to my study schedule but I found this TMA much easier than the previous ones because it was not an essay. The shorter more concise paragraphs and bullet point are easier for me to link because of my dyslexia.