Factors Predicting Environmental Concern and Indifference in 13- to 16-Year-Olds
Lyons, E. & Breakwell, G. M. (1994). Factors predicting environmental concern and indifference in 13- to 16-year-olds. Environment and Behavior, 26, 2, 223-228.
Examined the relative power of sociodemographic, knowledge, and attitudinal variables in predicting environmental concern and indifference in 1,089 13-26 yr olds who participated in a UK survey on public understanding of science. The best discriminator between environmentally concerned and indifferent young people was self-reported level of knowledge about specific environmental issues. Level of scientific knowledge and exposure to TV science programs were also powerful discriminators after social class effect was considered. Attitudes toward scientific changes were a good discriminating factor, after the effects of social class and knowledge were taken into account. Age contributed only slightly in predicting environmental concern and indifference, and sex and personal commitment to science made no significant contribution.
