Searching for New Directions for Energy Policy: Testing Three Causal Models of Risk Perception, Attitude, and Behavior in Nuclear Energy Context

Abstract

Although many risk studies investigate perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors, the causal relationships among them have not yet been verified. Thus, further investigations of these relationships are necessary. This study analyzes three causal models consisting of three components: perceptions (i.e., perceived risk in this study), attitudes (i.e., satisfaction), and behavior (i.e., support for policy). This study checks these relationships in the context of nuclear energy policy. Using a hierarchical regression model, this study tests three different models between the three components: (1) Model 1 (a high-involvement model), (2) Model 2 (a low-involvement model), and (3) Model 3 (a hedonic model). First, in the high-involvement model, behavior is affected by perceptions and attitudes. In particular, attitudes mediate the relationship between risk perceptions and satisfaction. Second, in the low-involvement model, attitudes indirectly affect perceptions through behaviors. Third, in the hedonic model, behaviors affect attitudes, and risk perceptions do not mediate that relationship. This causal model does not depend on perceptions of the benefits and drawbacks of nuclear power. Our analysis shows that Model 1 is fully significant, and Model 2 and 3 are only partially significant.

Analysis of the Impact of Health Beliefs and Resource Factors on Preventive Behaviors against the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Moreover, Lubke and Muthen [ 54 ] found that it is possible to find true parameter values using Likert scale data, if assumptions about skewness, number of categories, etc., were satisfied. Finally, since we only focused on health beliefs and resource factors, various values, culture, structural context, resources, and communication factors have not been included [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ].…”

The Crisis of Public Health and Infodemic: Analyzing Belief Structure of Fake News about COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The variables and models overlooked in this study should be verified in future studies. Also, since the causal model between attitude, perception, and behavior is as important [104], our model is necessary to verify this causality. Fourth, since our study focused on the rational dimension of knowledge, we dismissed the emotional attributes of knowledge.…”

Searching for New Human Behavior Model in Explaining Energy Transition: Exploring the Impact of Value and Perception Factors on Inconsistency of Attitude toward Policy Support and Intention to Pay for Energy Transition

“…Fourth, our studies did not fully consider communication factors [ 107 , 108 , 109 , 110 , 111 ], economic or resource factors [ 111 , 112 ], or structural factors [ 54 , 113 , 114 ]. Finally, further work needed for highlighting the causal model [ 115 , 116 ].…”