The Influence of Acculturation on Environmental Concerns: An Exploratory Study
Caro, V. & Ewert, A. (1995). The influence of acculturation on environmental concerns: An exploratory study. Journal of Environmental Education, 26, 3, 13-21.
Investigated the effects of acculturation on responses to a selected group of environmental issues. A scale of environmental concerns was administered to 398 forest visitors in 2 southern California forests. Significant differences were observed on 4 of the 11 issues. Overall mean differences were congruent with the study hypothesis in 9 of the 11 concerns. Level of acculturation, as measured by length of residence in the US, and S's arrival age accounted for most of the observed variation in environmental concern. Environmental educators and natural resource managers need to look beyond the ethnicity and age of a person and consider the overall level of acculturation in ascertaining individual levels of environmental concern.
