Social Determinants of Environmental Concern: Specification and Test of the Model

Based on the literature, a causal model of determinants of environmental concern was developed. The model proposes major sociodemographic variables and 2 forms (proregulatory and social welfare) of liberalism as exogenous variables. Three measures (perceptions, support for regulations, and ecological behavior) are used to operationalize environmental concern. The model was tested using data on 2,131 respondents to a University of Illinois study (1978) of the environment. Analysis indicated that sociodemographic variables were ineffective in explaining any of the environmental concerns measured, but proregulatory liberal ideology was a strong predictor of support for environmental regulation. It is suggested that further research may benefit most by exploring underlying belief structures rather than demographic characteristics of the population.