exchange.
It is likely that the most appropriate method of public involvement will depend
on the specifics of any particular situation and that more knowledgebased
decisions (e.g., technical risk assessments) will require lower levels of
involvement than more value-based decisions. Proponents of the deficit
model, however, tend to view communication as generally the most apt
approach, suggesting that public misunderstandings and objections might be
overcome by better expressing the views of experts, with public acceptance
of policies and decisions following as a result of an alignment process.
Indeed, learning how to effectively communicate complex ideas to laypersons
is important, and by developing the public understanding of science
more generally, the public’s capacity to enter scientific debate about issues
such as risk and risk mitigation will be enhanced (Frewer and Shepherd
1998).