A STRUCTURAL MODEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR

The multivariate relationship between environmental attitudes and pro- environmental behaviour was examined. In two studies a structural mode l linking environmental awareness, emotions, personal-philosophical va lues, perceived control and behaviour was proposed and tested. The mai n questions investigated were (a) whether, to what extent, and in whic h constellation personal belief systems affect environmental behaviour , and (b) the generalizability of the model from two known groups. New instruments were created to measure the model's constructs. Using LIS REL VII, Study I confirmed the proposed model. The strongest effect on environmental behaviour stemmed from personal-philosophical values an d emotions. No effects on environmental behaviour stemming from factua l knowledge were found. Thirty-nine per cent of the variance in enviro nmental behaviour was explained by the attitudinal components. Study I I showed the extent to which persons differ in their environmental beh aviour depending on their membership in a 'green' drivers' association , compared with traditional drivers. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited