Daily Research News Online no. 2915 - Transatlantic Views of Terror

Transatlantic Views of Terror

February 10 2004

Levels of anxiety about possible terrorist attacks are very similar in Britain and the US, according to the latest results from Harris Interactive(r) and its subsidiary HI Europe - but there are differences in attitude between the two countries.

Also similar are the modest proportions of people who have changed their behaviour because of the fear of terrorism. The major difference is in views of the ability of the government to reduce the likelihood of a terrorist attack, in which Americans are far more confident then the British. 72% of American adults have at least some confidence in the ability of the government to reduce the likelihood of terrorist attacks. In Britain, only 54% have at least some confidence. Factors such as geography and the general level of cynicism of the populace may of course play a part in this alongside the words and deeds of the respective governments.

The British are only slightly more worried than Americans about the possibility of a terrorist attack somewhere in the country - 12% of Brits worry 'often' compared to 9% of Americans, while 59% of the British worry 'occasionally' or 'often' compared to 55% in the US. In Harris' view, 'the more important finding here is that large numbers in both countries do not worry much or at all (45% in the US and 41% in GB) and only small minorities in both countries worry 'often''.

Only 11% in both countries think a major attack is 'very' likely in the next twelve months, but most people (62% in the US and 64% in GB) think it is either 'somewhat' or 'very' likely.

Large majorities in both countries say they are not making any changes in their travel plans, their visits to big cities, or to big sporting or other events through fear of a terrorist attack. The minorities who are changing their behaviour are as follows:

11% in the US and 10% in GB say they are avoiding traveling by air 'a lot'.
7% in both countries say they are avoiding big sporting or other events 'a lot'.
5% in the US and 3% in GB say they are travelling 'a lot' less.
5% in US and 6% in GB say they are avoiding visiting big cities 'a lot'.

The results are based on parallel surveys of the public conducted online. The US survey is based on 3,378 people aged 18 and over interviewed between January 19 and 28, 2004. The Great Britain survey is based on 2,417 people aged 18 and over surveyed between January 21 and 26, 2004. In both cases, 'Propensity score' weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.