Lightning Knowledge and Folk Beliefs in Austria

Atmospheric electricity receives high social attention by lay people, and by mass media. Lightning folk beliefs (myths) and lay theories on atmospheric electricity can be protective or counter-protective for the general population. Folk beliefs have been enumerated by scientists, but should be systematically assessed because of their importance for individual preventive behavior and for public education campaigns. Austrian environmental psychology started an empirical test of the subject. A questionnaire with 51 items (lightning knowledge, risk awareness, folk beliefs, life-saving cognitions and behavior) and sociodemographic variables was distributed to 133 Austrians of age 20-84, more rural than city residents, of Upper Austria and Salzburg. Thunderstorms were considered by them to be a medium risk. Women expressed more lightning fear. The general lightning knowledge and behavioral safety level is high in Austria, but some deficits remain. Three of four failed in a simple lightning distance calculation task. Folk beliefs were not dominant in this survey. Old people responded more cautious, but not folk belief-prone. Formal education and city/rural residence were no predictors for lightning knowledge and behavior.