Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/131313
Type: Thesis
Title: Attitudes and Behaviours Regarding Climate Change Activism
Author: Whitson, Kathleen C
Issue Date: 2020
School/Discipline: School of Psychology
Abstract: Past research suggests non-violent activism is an effective strategy for populations to increase pressure on governments and bring about policy change. Yet, little is currently known about the motivators for and barriers to climate change activism in Australia. A quantitative-dominant, concurrent mixed methods design was used to investigate this gap in knowledge. Participants (N = 531) completed an online survey consisting of two climate change scales; an attitude scale and a behaviour scale. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to determine if underlying classes were present in the behaviour scale, while a multinomial logistic regression (MLR) was conducted to determine predictors of class membership. Finally, a multiple response analysis (MRA) was used to analyse respondents’ reasons for engaging, or not engaging, in the activism behaviours. Results from the LCA suggested the presence of three classes: Least Active (22.9%), Moderately Active (55.3%), and Most Active (21.8%). The Most Active class had the highest probability of engagement in climate change activism behaviours compared to the Least and Moderately Active classes. Results from the MLR suggested age was a significant predictor of class membership. Compared to the Least Active respondents, the Most and Moderately Active respondents were significantly older. Results from the MRA suggest, generally, the Most and Moderately Active classes cited similar motivators, while the Least and Moderately Active classes cited similar barriers. These findings have implications for climate change communicators. Information addressing motivators and barriers of climate change activism could help to increase public engagement with anthropogenic climate change.
Dissertation Note: Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2020
Keywords: Honours; Psychology
Description: This item is only available electronically.
Provenance: This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available, or you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals
Appears in Collections:School of Psychology

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