Environmental Risk Perception, Activism and World-Mindedness among Samples of British and U.S. College Students

Abstract

Hypotheses were tested that greater perception of environmental risk and stronger world-minded value orientation are associated with more pro-environmental behavior among samples of British ( n = 96) and U.S. ( n = 119) college students. Risk perception was assessed in terms of emotional and cognitive aspects. Behavior was assessed in terms of present action and commitment to future action. The hypotheses were generally supported for both samples, with emotionality in risk perception tending to be more strongly related to pro-environmental behavior. Greater perceptions of risk and activism were also related to stronger world-mindedness. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of emotionality in pro-environmental activism and an hypothesis about superordinate goals.

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