Risk amplification as social attribution

The Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF) occupies a significant position as a risk perception model and is widely recognised in risk management discourse particularly when controversial risk episodes are unfolding. This is despite criticism that it does not achieve its integrative goals to be an overarching framework for diverse social science approaches. This article accounts for the longevity of SARF and explores some of the longstanding philosophical issues. The concept of risk amplification as a social attribution is presented to strengthen the integrative appeal of the framework and to act as a counter to objections that the framework necessarily reifies risk, is ill equipped to describe social complexity and sides with the risk assessor against ‘non-expert’ stakeholders.