Flood CG video and hazard map showed different brain-response patterns in an fMRI experiment

Video and maps produce different relative response patterns

Researchers including members from Kyoto University, ATR-Promotions and RIKEN reported an fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) experiment comparing ways of presenting flood risk. They reported relatively stronger responses in areas associated with vision and bodily sensation, as well as the amygdala, during the flood CG video; for the flood map, they reported relatively stronger activity in frontal and parietal regions associated with processing symbols and spatial information.

How experiential flood media and descriptive map-based information differ in their effects had not been sufficiently clarified, according to the research announcement. The experiment does not establish a comparison of real-world preparedness or evacuation behavior.

The reported fMRI results distinguish the relatively stronger flood-related brain responses associated with a flood CG video from those associated with a flood hazard map. The researchers say this points to combining felt risk from video with hazard-map understanding as a possible approach to information provision.

The result, if borne out, suggests that experiencing a hazard through imagery and understanding it through map-based information may involve different neural processes. It does not show that either format improves preparedness or evacuation decisions.