Attitudes concerning nuclear war in finland and in the united states

Abstract

Four hundred seventy residents of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and 493 residents of Jyväskylä, Finland, were randomly selected and interviewed about their attitudes concerning nuclear war. In both areas, a high proportion of the samples believed that some kind of nuclear incident is likely in the next decade. The vast majority stated that a nuclear war could not be won and that they expected to die in the event of war. About three fourths in both communities seldom discuss nuclear issues with anyone including their own children, and only one fourth of the U.S sample and about one half of the Finnish sample have ever done anything personally to oppose the arms race. About one half of the Americans and three fourths of the Finns said that the United States was not doing everything possible to prevent nuclear war, and many in both groups favored disarmament. Males in both groups were more likely to believe that nuclear war is winable and survivable. “Survivalists” and “activists” differed on many key questions. Other issues are discussed, particularly with reference to numerous recent studies concerning nuclear attitudes. Also discussed is the issue of advocacy research and the role of the behavioral sciences in dealing with the nuclear threat.

International Reactions to the Threat of Nuclear War: The Rise and Fall of Concern in the Eighties

“…Even in the first half of the decade, antinuclear activists constituted a rather small portion of the United States population; a good estimate seems to be 10% (Fuld & Nevin, 1988), although significantly higher estimates have been reported in this country (Johnson et al, 1986;Watanabe & Milburn, 1988). One little segment of the population, however, did act.…”

“…Such decreased expectations of survival have constituted one of the biggest changes in beliefs over time (Fiske, 1987). Fearful expectations have been reported elsewhere: 88% of respondents in Finland felt that they would "probably die" (Johnson et al, 1986), 77% in Great Britain (Gallup Poll, 1982, as cited in Tizard, 1985, and 86% in Canada believed that they would not survive a nuclear war (Dyal and Morris, 1987). Fearful expectations have been reported elsewhere: 88% of respondents in Finland felt that they would "probably die" (Johnson et al, 1986), 77% in Great Britain (Gallup Poll, 1982, as cited in Tizard, 1985, and 86% in Canada believed that they would not survive a nuclear war (Dyal and Morris, 1987).…”

Different age groups' similar outlook on nuclear war.

“…This particular town is well-known for its well-informed, well-educated, civic-minded residents. I randomly sampled 496 respondents, and quite a different picture emerged (Johnson, Pulkkinen, Oranen, & Poijula, 1986). Only 30% felt that a nuclear incident was unlikely in the next decade (20% said it was certain, and 50% said it was moderately certain).…”

Crying Wolf

“…The study (Johnson, Pulkkinen, Oranen, & Poijula, 1986) found that, "20% of the Americans said a nuclear incident was almost certain…and 50% of Americans felt it was moderately certain…If there was a nuclear war, only…6% of the Americans thought they would survive…78% of the Americans said they would probably die" (p. 157-158). At this point in time, audiences had already seen the damaging effects that nuclear warfare can have.…”