THE VALUE BASIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

This article describes and presents initial empirical tests of a theor y that links values, beliefs, attitudes, and behavior within a prefere nce construction framework that emphasizes the activation of personal environmental norms. Environmental concern is related to egoistic, soc ial-altruistic, and biospheric value orientations and also to beliefs about the consequences of environmental changes for valued objects. Tw o studies generally support the hypothesized relationships and demonst rate links to the broader theory of values. However, the biospheric va lue orientation postulated in the theoretical literature on environmen talism does not differentiate from social-altruism in a general popula tion sample. Results are discussed in terms of value change, the role of social structural factors (including gender) in environmentalism, t heories of risk perception, and the mobilization strategies of social movements, including environmental justice movements.