Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2009

Keywords

Border Security

Abstract

Efforts to bolster support of border policy are dependent on an understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying perception of border management. Hazard-focused emotional reactions of fear and anger and the management-focused emotion of trust have been shown to influence risk perception. To determine the generality of these findings, the current study sampled United States and Canadian citizens living near the Northwest Washington / Southwest British Columbia border. Emotional reactions were shown to effect perception of border management across knowledge levels and country of residence. U.S. citizens reported higher levels of fear, anger, and worry about border security compared to Canadian citizens, and lower levels of confidence and support. Fear-dominant compared to anger dominant emotional reactions resulted in more positive evaluations of border management. Contributions include an improved understanding of the importance of affect to risk evaluations. Suggestions for border managers attempting to garner support of "Secure Borders and Open Doors" are offered.

Issue

July

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Border security--Washington (State)--Public opinion; Border security--British Columbia--Public opinion

Geographic Coverage

Washington (State); British Columbia

Genre/Form

masters thesis

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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