Relationship between attitudes (implicit and explicit), feelings and beliefs. A study on urban and rural areas in Spain (Relación entre actitudes (implícitas y explícitas), sentimientos y creencias. Un estudio sobre las zonas urbanas y rurales en España)

ABSTRACT Migration to the city requires in-depth study of the underlying reasons. These reasons include attitudes towards urban and rural areas. To study the relationship between attitudes (implicit and explicit), feelings and beliefs regarding urban and rural areas, we conducted research to measure implicit attitudes through the Implicit Association Test, and explored explicit attitudes, feelings and beliefs through ad hoc questions. The results showed that having a university education (vs. not having one) is associated with less negative feelings towards urban areas. Those who had a favourable implicit and explicit attitude towards urban areas expressed the greatest concern about the depopulation of rural areas. We discuss the results in terms of ‘attitudinal balance’, which would imply a change in attitudes among the population that seeks to increase beliefs about the benefits of rural areas without undermining positive beliefs associated with urban areas.