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Harmony Szarek Masters Thesis 3.pdf (2.91 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

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Subjectivity in Expert Decision Making: Risk Assessment, Acceptability, and Cognitive Heuristics Affecting Endangered Species Act Listing Judgments for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear

Szarek, Harmony Kristin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1430998102

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was signed into U.S. law in 1973, with the purpose of conserving species at risk of extinction. The law mandates that "the best scientific and commercial data available" be used to determine the protection status of potentially imperiled organisms and provides a process in which decision makers answer two questions: What is the risk to the species? And, is that risk acceptable? The first question can be answered by science, but the second cannot; ultimately, acceptability of a certain level of risk is an ethical or policy decision rather than a scientific decision. Scientific factors and objectivity are scrutinized in this type of expert decision making process, however the other factors such as individual level heuristics that may influence the decision making process have received limited attention to date. This research investigates the process of expert decision making involved in listing determinations for the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) during the timeframe where proposals to delist this population segment of grizzlies from the ESA are being considered. A web-based survey of researchers who have published peer-reviewed findings on Ursus arctos within the past 10 years, and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee members was conducted to investigate the degree of consensus regarding the threats facing the GYE grizzly and also to understand what factors influence expert listing recommendations. Level of expertise, threat assessment, and six individual heuristics were analyzed in a bivariate logistic regression to determine which factors have an impact on the choice between keeping the GYE grizzly listed or delisted. Findings showed little agreement regarding the threats facing the long-term survival of the GYE grizzly bear population but a clear majority believe grizzlies should remain listed as either endangered or threatened. Of the six heuristics, degree of expertise, and threat assessment factors that were considered in the model, only values (a mutualism wildlife value orientation) and normative beliefs about what other professionals believe were found to be significant influences on expert listing determination.
Jeremy Bruskotter (Advisor)
Eric Toman (Advisor)
132 p.
Environmental Science

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Szarek, H. K. (2015). Subjectivity in Expert Decision Making: Risk Assessment, Acceptability, and Cognitive Heuristics Affecting Endangered Species Act Listing Judgments for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1430998102

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Szarek, Harmony. Subjectivity in Expert Decision Making: Risk Assessment, Acceptability, and Cognitive Heuristics Affecting Endangered Species Act Listing Judgments for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear . 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1430998102.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Szarek, Harmony. "Subjectivity in Expert Decision Making: Risk Assessment, Acceptability, and Cognitive Heuristics Affecting Endangered Species Act Listing Judgments for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Grizzly Bear ." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1430998102

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1430998102
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