Articles | Volume 25, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-4983-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-4983-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
17 Dec 2025
Research article |
| 17 Dec 2025
| 17 Dec 2025
Polarization in Flood Risk Management? Sensitivity of Norm Perception and Responsibility Attribution to Frequent Flood Experience
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
Torsten Masson
Institute of Psychology, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
Sungju Han
Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Christian Kuhlicke
Department of Urban and Environmental Sociology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research-UFZ Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Short summary
This study examines how frequent flood experience relate to social norms and responsibility attribution. Using survey data from Saxony (Germany), we find that respondents with multiple flood experience are more likely to perceive social norms supporting individual protective behavior, ascribe more responsibility to public authorities and less to their community. This suggests a "we" vs. "them" polarization, potentially harming individual preparedness.
This study examines how frequent flood experience relate to social norms and responsibility...
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