[The pattern of variables predicting self-reported environmental behavior].

Abstract

Many of the changes observed in our environment today may be traced back to human action. In addition to a descriptive elaboration of possible predictor variables, the psychological analysis of environmental behavior is directed towards the identification of key variables and the structural relationships among these and behavior. Variables that are suitable to predict environmental behavior need to be identified. In this study, 215 subjects each were drawn from an urban and a rural sample; 85 further subjects were considered to be highly environmentally engaged. Thus the total sample population for this study included 515 subjects. Scales on acquisition of information, values, locus of control, attribution of responsibility, and environmental threat were administered to all subjects. A modified version of the protection-motivation theory formulated by Gardner and Stern (1996) served as a reference model. Simultaneous regression analysis revealed that scales specifically directed to the domain of environmental behavior are well suited to explain environmental actions, especially in the subset of highly engaged persons (R2 = .58). In contrast to both other groups, the acquisition of environmentally specific information was a strong predictor in this group. On the basis of these regression analyses, it is argued that additional predictors--along with the ones used in this study--must be taken into account in groups that do not display extraordinary engagement in environmental matters.