Pahl, S. and Harris, P.R. and Todd, H.A. and Rutter, D.R. (2005) Comparative optimism for environmental risks. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25 (1). pp. 1-11. ISSN 0272-4944.
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| Official URL http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.12.004 |
Abstract
The present research tested whether people display comparative optimism for environmental risks and the link between comparative optimism and pro-environmental activity. Study 1 found comparative optimism for water pollution, air pollution and nuclear energy in normal conditions, but not when participants were asked to think about pollution arising from a hypothetical accident. In Study 2, both environmental activists and nonactivists displayed comparative optimism for a list of 22 environmental risks. However, comparative optimism was not associated with self-reported pro-environmental behaviour. Instead, absolute perceived risk, ecological attitude and social value orientation were associated with behaviour. Furthermore, when controlling for group membership, the effect of absolute risk disappeared. These findings are used to address ways in which pro-environmental behaviour might be encouraged.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology |
| Divisions: | Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Psychology |
| Depositing User: | C.A. Simms |
| Date Deposited: | 04 Sep 2008 14:07 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jan 2010 14:15 |
| Resource URI: | http://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/4448 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
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