Social amplification of risk is an academic concept and research framework examining how information about risk is communicated, interpreted, and acted upon by individuals and social groups, leading to consequences that extend beyond the direct physical harm of the hazard itself. This framework investigates the social, psychological, institutional, and cultural processes that mediate public perception and societal responses to risks, tracing how risk signals are amplified or attenuated as they propagate through social networks and communication channels. Its significance lies in explaining discrepancies between expert risk assessments and public concerns, understanding societal responses to hazards, and informing effective risk communication and governance strategies.