Assessing the structure of UK environmental concern and its association with pro-environmental behaviour
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In: Journal of Environmental Psychology, Vol. 43, 01.09.2015, p. 175-183.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing the structure of UK environmental concern and its association with pro-environmental behaviour
AU - Rhead, Rebecca
AU - Elliot, Mark
AU - Upham, Paul
PY - 2015/9/1
Y1 - 2015/9/1
N2 - Understanding the structure and composition of environmental concern is crucial to the study of society's engagement with environmental problems. Here, we aim to determine if components of the VBN model emerge when applying a combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to a large UK dataset, one designed without a priori commitment to a theoretical model. A three-factor model was confirmed to be the most substantively and methodologically optimal. Two of the factors correspond to the VBN's ecocentric and anthropocentric factors. However, the third factor does not routinely map onto the third factor of the VBN (ecocentric concern). We have called our factor 'denial', as high scorers tend to be responding positively to statements that would suggest inaction. The association between these factors and level of reported pro-environmental behaviour is assessed.
AB - Understanding the structure and composition of environmental concern is crucial to the study of society's engagement with environmental problems. Here, we aim to determine if components of the VBN model emerge when applying a combination of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to a large UK dataset, one designed without a priori commitment to a theoretical model. A three-factor model was confirmed to be the most substantively and methodologically optimal. Two of the factors correspond to the VBN's ecocentric and anthropocentric factors. However, the third factor does not routinely map onto the third factor of the VBN (ecocentric concern). We have called our factor 'denial', as high scorers tend to be responding positively to statements that would suggest inaction. The association between these factors and level of reported pro-environmental behaviour is assessed.
KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication
KW - Environmental concern
KW - Factor analysis
KW - Attitudes
KW - Values
KW - VBN
KW - Behaviour
KW - Denial
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84934272484&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.06.002
DO - 10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.06.002
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:84934272484
VL - 43
SP - 175
EP - 183
JO - Journal of Environmental Psychology
JF - Journal of Environmental Psychology
SN - 0272-4944
ER -