Sense of place as an attitude: Lakeshore owners attitudes toward their properties

Existing attempts to measure Sense of Place (SOP) are open to a number of d ifferent interpretations, some of which are well established in attitude re search. Attitude theory can provide a basis for conceiving of SOP as cognit ive, affective and conative relationships with human environments. In this study, Sense of Place was defined as a multidimensional construct comprisin g: (1) beliefs about the relationship between self and place; (2) feelings toward the place; and (3) the behavioral exclusivity of the place in relati on to alternatives. A 12-item SOP scale, consistent with a multidimensional theoretical prescription, was developed and subsequently tested in the fie ld with a sample of lakeshore property owners in northern Wisconsin (n = 28 2). A number of measurement models based on attitude structure were posed a s potential explanations of the scale's construct validity. Results suggest ed that the SOP scale measured a general Sense of Place dimension that gain ed expression in property owners' thoughts, feelings and behavioral commitm ents for their lakeshore properties. This general evaluative dimension was more explanatory of observed responses than were the three univariate dimen sions having interpretations consistent with place identity, place attachme nt, and place dependence. The dominance of the SOP factor over the narrower dimensions was prevalent in three different measurement models that posite d both general and specific factors. Future research in this vein could be oriented towards reflecting the domains of attitude more closely, rather th an being organized around the domains of sense of place as described in the literature. (C) 2001 Academic Press.