The purpose of the study was to test a hierarchical model of the effects of general values, environmental values, problem awareness, and personal norms on general proenvironmental behavior. The model starts with the effects of the relatively stable structures of general values and moves toward effects of more specific environmental values, environmental problem awareness, and personal norms. A personal norm was expected to mediate the effects of values and problem awareness on proenvironmental behavior. Survey data from a Swedish sample of 1,400 individuals were used in a path analysis to test the model, which was supported, and the results showed that the personal norm could be seen as derived from self-transcendent and ecocentric values and activated by problem awareness. The personal norm mediated the effects from general values, environmental values, and problem awareness on proenvironmental behavior.

No abstract

No abstract

Research on psychological restoration and restorative environments is a needed complement to work on stress and environmental stressors. Two laboratory experiments tested the utility of two restorative environments theories, one concerned with directed attention capacity renewal and the other with stress reduction and associated changes in emotion. Various strategies were employed to distinguish restorative effects from other effects, to limit the role of arousal reduction in attentional restoration, and to begin mapping the time course for the emergence of outcomes. Both experiments tested for differential emotional and performance effects as a function of photographic environmental simulation (natural or urban environment). Across the experiments the natural environment simulation engendered generally more positive emotional self-reports. That consistent performance effects were not found in either study suggests that attentional restoration as reflected in performance is a more time-intensive process.

No abstract

No abstract

This paper examines interregional migration within the five Nordic countries, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland, focusing on the impacts on migration decisions. A background to the study is the regional demographic polarisation of the five countries and the debate about labour market migration. The main questions of the study are: (a) What motives, apart from those relating to the labour market, are important to interregional migrants? (b) Do migrants perceive their decision to move as voluntary? (c) Are migration decisions in conflict with peoples' life projects, values and attitudes? The empirical analysis is based on 9600 responses to a survey conducted in all five countries, with participants including both those who have changed resident municipality in the last two years (migrants) and those who have lived in the same municipality for more than five years (stayers). The study reveals that only about one in five migrants give employment as a major motive for moving. Environmental and social factors are often more important. The majority of migrants claim that their decision to move is voluntary. The results also confirm previous research suggesting that migrants are more likely to be young, single people and have a higher educational level than stayers. There is also evidence that migration is often compatible with migrants' values and preferences. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

No abstract