FACTORS IN PERCEPTION OF TORNADO HAZARD: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

142 subjects participated in a study of the relationship between selected predictors and responses to potential tornado hazard. Results of backstep regression analyses indicated (a) that sex of subject and level of education were the best predictors of perceived probability of tornado recurrence, (b) that ratings of severity of potential damage were related to level of education, and (c) that sex of subject accounted for a significant percentage of the variance in anxiety reported in response to a tornado prediction.