Values as Predictors of Environmental Attitudes: Evidence for Consistency Across 14 Countries

Abstract

A multinational study is reported on the relationship between values and attitudes. Environmental attitudes were measured using the revised New Environmental Paradigm (NEP: Dunlap et al., 1992) and Thompson and Barton's (1994) ecocentrism-anthropocentrism scales. Other measures included gender, SES, religion, and Schwartz's (1994) universal values scale. Survey data were obtained from college students in 14 countries. A sample of 2160 participants was obtained through university contacts in each country. Results found support for the distinction between different types of environmental attitudes. Regression analyses revealed a consistent pattern of findings across countries. Scores on the NEP scale and the ecocentrism scale were predicted by universalism (positively), power (negatively), and tradition (negatively). In contrast, anthropocentric concerns were significantly related to benevolence (negatively), power (positively), tradition (positively), and security (positively). Overall, these findings support the value-basis theory of environmental attitudes.

Attitudes towards Fairtrade Principles and Environmental Views among the Inhabitants of a Rural Swedish Town

“…Research has also shown that ecocentrism correlates negatively with the conservation values. By contrast, research has revealed that anthropocentrism is negatively correlated with the self-transcendence values, positively correlated with the self-enhancement values, and positively correlated with the conservation values (Nordlund & Garvill, 2002;Schultz & Zelezny, 1999).…”

“…Other studies have found substantial positive correlations at .20 or more (Bjerke & Kaltenborn, 1999;Kaltenborn & Bjerke, 2002;Schultz & Zelezny, 1999). Some studies have found that women have more positive attitudes towards ecocentrism than men (Casey & Scott, 2006;Karpiak & Baril, 2008).…”

A Comparison of Three Psychometric Values Measures for Modeling Ecologically Conscious Consumption Behavior

“…Schwartz ([6], p. 12) defines universalism based on the motivational goal behind its manifestation: "understanding, appreciation, tolerance, and protection for the welfare of all people and for nature." Schultz and Zelezny [13] The literature suggests that security is related to anthropocentric attitudes [13]. Thus, H 4 : Individuals with high levels of security engage in less ECCB.…”

The importance of vulnerable areas with potential tourism development: a case study of the Bohemian forest and South Bohemia tourism regions

“…The demand segments were identified by cluster analysis (Ward Method, Euclidean distance) of the questionnaires from both surveys (the scale of the rate of participation on partial recreational activities). The estimated credibility loss ratio was 50% as in Real et al (2000). The questionnaires from the model segments (i.e., students) were selected from the identified clusters.…”

“…The differences in the average appeal among the types of areas were investigated by one-way ANOVA with Tukey unequal N HSD post-hoc tests (Quinn and Keough 2002).…”