Sarah Lichtenstein (1933-2017)

Abstract

This article memorializes Sarah Lichtenstein (1933-2017). Lichtenstein is aptly described as a "powerhouse in the field of decision-making research." In addition to her work on preference and probability estimation, Sarah, Baruch Fischhoff, and the author co-developed what has come to be known as the psychometric paradigm for the study of risk perception. This research showed that the public has a broad conception of risk that incorporates considerations such as uncertainty, dread, catastrophic potential, controllability, and risk to future generations into the risk equation. This has led to the appreciation that the values associated with these qualities need to be considered and respected in risk-management decisions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).