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NSF PA/M 99-17 - June 21, 1999
NSF-Funded Psychologist Available to Explain Why People Do the Y2K-Related
Things They Do
Many people are making behavioral choices about their finances, careers
and lifestyles that they think will protect them from any possible Y2K-related
negative effects.
But they may actually be putting themselves in more danger, says Donald
MacGregor, a psychologist studying "Public Perception of Y2K Risks" through
the National Science Foundation (NSF)'s Decision, Risk and Management
Science program.
MacGregor, a senior research psychologist at Decision Science Research
Institute in Eugene, Oregon, says, "Though technical experts generally
predict that Y2K problems are likely to be either non-existent or minor,
they cannot conclude with certainty that no problems will occur. To many
people, it looks like they don't know the answer to the question: 'Am
I safe?'
"The Y2K bug makes them feel they've been taken advantage of," he continues.
Therefore, some people actually may feel less risk from voluntarily parachuting
out of a plane than they do from dealing with an ATM machine or utility
over which they have no control.
The NSF is making MacGregor available to broadcast and print media from
Tuesday, June 22 until early January, 2000 to provide
expert commentary on people's behavioral decisions based on their Y2K-related
fears and
concerns, and to discuss his own research on the
subject.
Who:
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Dr. Donald MacGregor, Research Psychologist
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What:
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Expert commentary on "Public Perception of Y2K Risks" - and related
behavioral choices |
When:
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From Tuesday, June 22 until early January, 2000 |
Where:
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Decision Science Research Institute, Eugene, Oregon
(541-485-2400; pslovic2@oregon.uoregon.edu) |
For more information contact:
Joel Blumenthal (703) 292-8070/jblument@nsf.gov
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