Measuring cultural values and beliefs about environment to identify their role in climate change responses

J C Price; Iain Walker; F Boschetti

doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.10.001

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Measuring cultural values and beliefs about environment to identify their role in climate change responses

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Measuring cultural values and beliefs about environment to identify their role in climate change responses

J C Price, Iain Walker and F Boschetti

Journal of Environmental Psychology, Vol.37, pp.8-20

2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.10.001

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Abstract

myths of nature

cultural theory

measurement

pro-environmental behavior

environmental values

climate change

Cultural perspectives shape responses to climate change. This research examines 'myths of physical nature' outlined in cultural theory. Patterns of values and beliefs about the environment are described as 'cultural biases', which legitimize four ways of life - worldviews. We test whether cultural biases about the environment have the same structure as those about society. Study 1 details sound psychometric measures developed through a survey of Australians (n = 290). Study 2 replicates the measures (n = 5081), and demonstrates their predictive validity in relation to climate change beliefs and self-reported pro-environmental behaviors. Two negatively correlated dimensions are identified that differ from the grid-group framework. Individualistic and fatalistic perspectives frame the environment as 'elastic' to justify damaging behaviors. Hierarchical and egalitarian perspectives frame the environment as 'ductile' to justify environmental conservation. Theoretical implications and differences to established measures of environmental concern and worldview are discussed.

Details

Title: Measuring cultural values and beliefs about environment to identify their role in climate change responses
Authors: J C Price (Author) - CSIRO
Iain Walker (Author) - CSIRO
F Boschetti (Author) - CSIRO
Publication details: Journal of Environmental Psychology, Vol.37, pp.8-20
Publisher: Academic Press
Date published: 2014
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.10.001
ISSN: 0272-4944
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449135802621
Output Type: Journal article

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