The particular attitudinal combination varies through time and reflects an uneasy mixture of images, beliefs, interests and values. In addition, values are not shared by all members of a social group and attitudes are mediated to a certain extent by strategic interests. As a result, an individual's attitudes are the product of a unique configuration of values and strategic interests, and the relative prominence given to each. To the degree governments can impart good information, and provide mechanisms and incentives for citizens to think seriously about the issues, they will receive input to policy with a substantially longer and more predictable life span. The role of knowledge in the development of attitudes was not fully explored in our research.
Risk perception is largely a product of familiarity, knowledge and sense of personal control.
For most Canadians, the potential for risk perception is very high since these factors are low in some policy areas. Yet it is not objective, but rather perceived reality which forms the challenge for delivering a new policy. We explored these questions through some original public opinion research, using a series of scenarios or short stories which addressed many of the issues being investigated by the other working groups of the Forum. Participants were asked to make choices which showed a preference for certain values. Quantitative research supplemented the focus groups in order to enhance the generalizability of the findings.