Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.

This paper aims to examine the influence mechanism of education level as a key situational factor in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, encompassing both behavioral intention and preparatory behavior. Utilizing non-parametric estimation techniques in machine learning,...

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Main Authors: Zhipeng Wei, Zhichun Zhang, Liping Guo, Wenjie Zhou, Kehu Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321153
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author Zhipeng Wei
Zhichun Zhang
Liping Guo
Wenjie Zhou
Kehu Yang
author_facet Zhipeng Wei
Zhichun Zhang
Liping Guo
Wenjie Zhou
Kehu Yang
author_sort Zhipeng Wei
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims to examine the influence mechanism of education level as a key situational factor in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, encompassing both behavioral intention and preparatory behavior. Utilizing non-parametric estimation techniques in machine learning, particularly the Random Forest and XGBoost algorithms, this study develops predictive models to analyze the impact of 27 influencing factors on behavioral responses following risk perception. The findings indicate that, while the model's fit for preparatory behavior is 25.71% and its fit for behavioral intention is below 20%, the model effectively identifies key influencing factors. Further analysis employing SHAP values demonstrates that education level not only exerts a significant influence but also exhibits varying effects across different educational groups. Moreover, statistical testing corroborates the importance of education level in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, providing a robust scientific foundation for the development of risk management policies.
format Article
id doaj-art-a03424a00b6d4d7889532c20b18a88d1
institution OA Journals
issn 1932-6203
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Public Library of Science (PLoS)
record_format Article
series PLoS ONE
spelling doaj-art-a03424a00b6d4d7889532c20b18a88d12025-08-20T02:08:24ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01204e032115310.1371/journal.pone.0321153Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.Zhipeng WeiZhichun ZhangLiping GuoWenjie ZhouKehu YangThis paper aims to examine the influence mechanism of education level as a key situational factor in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, encompassing both behavioral intention and preparatory behavior. Utilizing non-parametric estimation techniques in machine learning, particularly the Random Forest and XGBoost algorithms, this study develops predictive models to analyze the impact of 27 influencing factors on behavioral responses following risk perception. The findings indicate that, while the model's fit for preparatory behavior is 25.71% and its fit for behavioral intention is below 20%, the model effectively identifies key influencing factors. Further analysis employing SHAP values demonstrates that education level not only exerts a significant influence but also exhibits varying effects across different educational groups. Moreover, statistical testing corroborates the importance of education level in the relationship between risk perception and behavioral response, providing a robust scientific foundation for the development of risk management policies.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321153
spellingShingle Zhipeng Wei
Zhichun Zhang
Liping Guo
Wenjie Zhou
Kehu Yang
Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.
PLoS ONE
title Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.
title_full Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.
title_fullStr Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.
title_full_unstemmed Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.
title_short Positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response: A machine learning approach.
title_sort positive relationship between education level and risk perception and behavioral response a machine learning approach
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0321153
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AT wenjiezhou positiverelationshipbetweeneducationlevelandriskperceptionandbehavioralresponseamachinelearningapproach
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