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Corporate environmental social and governance (ESG) reporting is becoming subject to increased scrutiny by regulators, investors and public. This dissertation will contribute to several research streams in the extant literature. This dissertation is the first to show the impact of employee environmental values and attitudes on reporting and whistleblowing decisions, making contributions to accounting, management, whistleblowing and environmental psychology literatures. Next, it is among the first to examine the role of the identity of ESG assurance provider in ESG reporting context. Further, it is among the first to examine the impact of SEC assurance mandate and the value of assurance over ESG information, thus contributing to audit literature. Using experimental methodology, I examine how ESG report assurance, ESG report assurance provider, ESG issue type, and environmentalism as a personality factor influence employee decisions to accede to a supervisory request to misrepresent ESG information, to report management's actions to a corporate hotline, to post information about management wrongdoing on social media, to switch jobs, and to judge ESG misreporting actions as unethical. The results indicate that (1) employee personality factor environmentalism impacts their ESG reporting decisions; (2) pro-environmental employees are more likely to whistleblow when assurance is not mandated, and they judge management actions to be more unethical when assurance is required; (3) under pressure to misreport ESG information, employees are more likely to switch jobs and judge management actions significantly more unethical, when they are dealing with quantitative data (as opposed to qualitative data), and when ESG assurance is provided by a consultant (versus an auditor); (4) pro-environmental employees do not differentiate between the issues impacting financial statements or ESG report only, whereas, employees with low-level environmentalism judge management actions to be more unethical when facing ESG issue with immediate impact to financial statements as opposed to an issue impacting ESG report only; (5) older employees (over 35) with low-level environmentalism are more likely to post information on social media when dealing with an environmental issue as opposed to a social issue; and (6) majority of participants (57%) perceive ESG misreporting to be a widespread phenomenon.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Apparel, Textiles, and Interior Design / Melody L. A. LeHew / The relationship between knowledge, attitudes and behavior has been a subject of interest for researchers for several decades in various fields of study. However, an inconsistency has been found from one study to another with literature showing inconclusive and inconsistent results regarding the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and behavior in general and purchase of eco-conscious apparel in particular. Literature also found perceived characteristics of innovation (PCI) to significantly influencing innovation adoption. However, research investigating the influence of eco-conscious apparel knowledge (EAK) and eco-conscious apparel attitudes (EAA) on intention to purchase eco-conscious apparel (IPEA) that includes PCI has not been conducted in any previously published studies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influential relationship between EAK-EAA-IPEA to understand if including PCI strengthens the inconsistent link between knowledge, attitudes and behavior as well as enhances the predictability of IPEA. The model of stages in the innovation-decision process developed by Roger’s (1983) in the diffusion of innovation theory was used as a theoretical framework for developing the model of innovation-decision process for eco-conscious apparel. Specifically, the three product characteristics used in this current study were based on the PCI (i.e., complexity, compatibility and relative advantage) explained by Rogers (1983) in his model. Two objectives were developed and tested using six research questions and pertinent hypotheses. The research relied on quantitative analysis of responses from 592 respondents to an online survey with eco-conscious knowledge, attitude and behavior questions pertaining eco-conscious apparel products. Hierarchical regression analysis, t-test and correlation analysis reveal that, inclusion of PCI significantly strengthened relationship between EAK-EAA-IPEA and also enhanced the predictability of IPEA; the ability to predict IPEA as well as strength of the link between EAK-EAA-IPEA was greater when more information was provided about eco-conscious apparel than less information; respondents have limited EAK; EAK was not a good predictor of IPEA; EAA was found to significantly predict IPEA; highly innovative respondents perceive eco-conscious apparel less complex and highly compatible and are more likely to purchase eco-conscious apparel; all three PCI were found to significantly predict IPEA; demographic variables were found to be related to only certain variables in this study.

The Nordic countries are geographically, culturally and politically close, and have all witnessed an upsurge in support for radical right-wing parties over the past decades. Although the five parties: the Danish People’s Party, the Finns Party, the Icelandic Progressive Party, the Norwegian Progress Party, and the Sweden Democrats, are different when it comes to party history and how accepted they have been by other parties, they are today similar in their anti-immigration rhetoric, their critique of the established elites and to some extent their welfare chauvinism. According to theories on radical right-wing parties and environmental attitudes, caring for nature and the environment would make a person less probable to vote for a radical right-wing party. Using data from the European Social Survey, the relationship between environmental attitudes and radical right-wing support is examined. The initial results support this thesis, but when adding control variables the relationship is no longer significant. However, when looking at the countries separately, it shows that the relationship between environmental values and radical right-wing voting varies across the Nordic countries. Here, Norway stands out as the country with the strongest negative relationship between environmental values and support for radical right-wing parties.

在現代都市的生活中，為了達到安全舒適與便利，經常需要配置許多都市服務設施來提供必要的服務，然而這些設施卻未必能讓所有人都樂意接受。一般而言，會在人們心目中留下清楚圖像的環境多半是值得回議會為人所津津樂道的，這些意象通常都是正面的。雖然過去的受害經驗也可能在人們的腦海中留下不可抹滅的印象，但人們通常會試著淡忘這些不好的經驗，因此都市服務設施不論具有正面或負面的效果，是否均會在居民對空間的認知結構中形成如「都市意象」般的設施意象？ 環境意象的掌握是規劃工作中一項極為重要的課題，意象既是個人對其所具有空間知識的有意義選擇，其形式必然是被賦予了價值的結果，換句話說，由於人對環境的理解是透過知覺作用進行的，因此環境認知與環境意象的研究不但涉及了環境的實質元素、事件，更包含了個人或群體的情感屬性。因此，本研究即是希望從環境態度與環境認知的角度來了解民眾對都市服務設施主觀認知的社會事責，並利用意象圖的方式來探究居民對都市服務設施的認知結構及其所代表的意義。 而經以面訪的方式對設籍於臺北市的242位居民進行調查後發現，在設施意象的建構過程中雖會受到外界資訊的引導與暗示，但是意象的內容卻未必會受到影響。再者，對受訪居民而言都市服務設施無非是公共設施的代名詞，且幾乎都是指對生活具有正面效果的設施，如果不是經常受到環境的刺激，並不會在意象圖中強調具有鄰避(NIMBY, Never-In-My-Back-Yard)效果的設施。在本研究的調查中也發現形成都市服務設施意象的最重要元素是商業及服務業設施，除了公用事業設施之外，各類設施的重要程度都會隨著空間範圍的大小不同而有所改變，而這些受訪者的都市服務設施意象在空間上不但有集中於居住地點、臺北車站附近以及臺北市政府附近等三個地區的趨勢，並傾向於將具有地方特色或當地象徵的設施表現出來，受訪者的設施意象亦多半會沿著主要的交通軸線延展而表現出與移動能力之間的某種關聯性。 除了調查組成設施意象的環境元素之外，本研究更將意象圖的繪製視為環境行為的表現方式，對可能影響個人環境行為的變數進行驗證，結果發現受訪民眾封環境議題的看法都可以被歸類到資訊、經驗、環境態度、動機、領域性與個人屬性等六個因子當中，而形成各個因子的變項亦可能因為不同得時空環境而有所不同，使得因子對個人環境行為產生作用的過程隨時可能產生變化並形成一種極為複雜的網狀結構。

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:16:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1983792 bytes, checksum: 857de6a8397b50631d2c61c9ce376025 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-12-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The present thesis aimed at verifying knowledge and attitudes toward renewable energy sources (RES), solar and wind energy, and in what extent these attitudes are related and can be predicted by environmental inclusion and human values. Study 1 aimed to verify the knowledge about RES. Participants were 74 people (27 men and 47 women) from João Pessoa (PB), with ages between 18 and 61, most were undergraduate from public universities. They answered to the self-report technique known as Natural Semantic Networks (NSN), besides questions about the knowledge of RES and demographic issues. An exploratory analysis identified semantic networks that, despite showing a limited repertory of solar and wind energy, represented knowledge with positive meaning, useful and coherent with the proposal of efficient and sustainable use of energy. In these semantic networks, the knowledge about solar and wind energy are represented by words that match with the pro-environmental appeal (e.g. nature and clean), words that show the technological features (e.g. technology and strength) and also the economic aspect (e.g. sustainable, economy and production). Study 2 aimed to develop an attitude toward RES instrument, with versions to solar, wind and conventional energy, besides verifying psychometric parameter of three other measures: Environmental Attitudes Inventory, Nature Relatedness Questionnaire and Connectedness to Nature Scale. Participants were 204 people from João Pessoa (PB), with mean age of 23 years old (sd = 13.83), most female (60%). Exploratory analysis and calculation of internal consistency used for the three versions indicated structures of EAFRE unifatorial with Crombach s alphas of 0.94 to Solar version, 0.93 to Wind version, and 0.86 for the conventional version. The exploratory and confirmatory analysis, as well as the calculation of internal consistency used in the validation of other measures parameters indicated adequate validity and reliability. In Study 3, we tested the hypothesis related to the objectives of the thesis, providing subsidies for the construction of the theoretical model values including environmental attitude behavior. 282 internet users participated, mean age 30 years (sd = 11.60), mostly female (65%). The hypotheses were corroborated listed, except for hypothesis 3 and hypothesis 4. However, despite these results, it was possible to propose an explanatory model in which human values are the underlying attitudes to renewable energy. One trusts that this thesis contributes to the literature of social and environmental psychology, presenting psychometric parameters of measures that can be used in future studies, and contributes with an explanatory model of the acceptance behavior of RES. Through this model, it is possible to develop incentive marketing strategies and public policies toward the use of renewable energy sources. / O objetivo da presente tese foi verificar o conhecimento e as atitudes frente às fontes renováveis de energia (FRE), energia solar e eólica, e em que medida estas atitudes estão associadas e podem ser preditas a partir do grau de inclusão ambiental e dos valores humanos. O Estudo 1 objetivou verificar o conhecimento acerca das FRE. Contou-se com a participação de 74 pessoas (27 homens e 47 mulheres) da cidade de João Pessoa (PB), com idades variando de 18 a 61 (m = 28,9; dp = 11), sendo a maioria (63,5%) estudantes de universidade pública. Estes responderam à técnica de autorrelato conhecida como Redes Semânticas Naturais (RSN), além de perguntas acerca do conhecimento sobre as fontes renováveis de energia e questões sociodemográficas. Uma análise exploratória identificou redes semânticas que, embora tenham apresentado um número de repertórios limitados tanto para a energia eólica como a energia solar, representaram conhecimentos com significados positivos, úteis e coerentes com a proposta do uso eficiente e sustentável de energia. Nestas redes semânticas, os conhecimentos sobre energia eólica e energia solar são representados por palavras que atendem ao apelo (pró-) ambiental (ex. natureza e limpa), que evidenciam o aspecto tecnológico (ex. tecnologia e força) e o aspecto econômico (ex. sustentável, economia e produção). O Estudo 2 teve como objetivo desenvolver um instrumento de atitudes sobre as FRE, com versões para energia solar, eólica e convencional, além de verificar os parâmetros psicométricos de outras três medidas: Inventário de Atitudes Ambientais, Escala de Parentesco com a Natureza e Escala de Conexão Ambiental. Participaram 204 pessoas de João Pessoa (PB), com idade média de 23 anos (dp = 13,83), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (60%). A análise exploratória e o cálculo da consistência interna empregados para as três versões da EAFRE indicaram estruturas unifatoriais com alfas de Cronbach de 0,94 para a versão Solar; 0,93 para a versão Eólica; e 0,86 para a versão Convencional. As Análises exploratórias e confirmatórias, bem como o cálculo da consistência interna empregados nas validações das demais medidas indicaram parâmetros de validade e precisão adequados. No Estudo 3, foram testadas as hipóteses relacionadas aos objetivos da tese, proporcionando subsídios para a construção do modelo teórico proposto valores inclusão ambiental atitudes comportamento. Participaram 282 usuários de internet, com idade média de 30 anos (dp = 11,60, amplitude de 17 a 75 anos), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (65%). As hipóteses elencadas foram corroboradas, com exceção da hipótese 3 e hipótese 4. No entanto, apesar destes resultados, foi possível propor um modelo explicativo, no qual valores humanos são subjacentes às atitudes frente às fontes renováveis de energia. Confia-se que a presente tese contribui com a literatura da psicologia social e ambiental, apresentando parâmetros psicométricos de medidas que podem ser empregadas em pesquisas futuras, além de contribuir com um modelo explicativo do comportamento de aceitação das fontes renováveis de energia. Poder-se-ia, a partir do modelo proposto, desenvolver estratégias de marketing e políticas públicas de incentivo ao uso de fontes renováveis de energia.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T13:16:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 3625280 bytes, checksum: 20e0d4cccc3dc2745813e44f259dd36b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This research aims at knowing to what extend the environmental attitudes may be predicted in terms of the human values and in relation to the person-environment relationships. More especially it is intended to know how the human values and person- nature relationships explain the pro environmental attitudes that promote the sustainable use of natural resources having as focus the production and consume of energy. In this sense, the theoretical approach highlights themes concerning conventional and alternative energy use, besides of the values constructs, attitudes of preservation and environmental inclusion. Two studies were carried out. The study 1 aimed at knowing how the environmental attitudes were correlated with human values, the attitudes towards the conventional and solar attitudes and the connectivity with environmental inclusion. This study counted on a non probability convenience sample of 307 participants came from the general population (63%) and students from Environmental Technology Course offered by IFMT- Campus Cuiabá - Bela Vista and Forestry Engineering Course given by UFMT, Cuiabá (MT). The subjects ages varied between 18 and 85 years (m =30, 8, sd = 14.43), the majority was female (62%). The participants answered the following research instruments: Environmental attitudes inventory, Environmental Connectivity Scale, Solar Energy Attitudes Scale, Conventional Energy Attitudes Scale, Basic Values Questionnaire, Social Desirability Scale and sociodemographic questions. The results indicated that participants are concerned about the environment; they had positive attitudes towards to sustainable energy sources, besides of revealing the feeling of being included to the natural environment. Concerning the super-personal values, these were positively correlated with preservation attitudes, while the social values did it with those of utilization. The attitudes towards solar energy were positively correlated with the preservation attitudes, but those concerning the conventional energy did it negatively, and finally, consistent with the previous result, the attitudes towards solar energy were positively correlated with environmental connectivity and inclusion. It was observed an opposite pattern towards conventional energy attitudes. The Study 2 aimed at replicating the findings described above. In this sense, this study counted on a non probability convenience sample of 175 participants from the general population of the cities of Cuiabá and Barão de Melgaço. Their ages were between 18 and 92 years (mean = 37.7, sd =14,43), the majority was female (62%). These participants answered the same questionnaires above described. In general, it was observed the same results of Study 1. It was evidenced that the participants of Barão de Melgaço, despite of having the prevalence of daily activities associated to the natural environment, they presented lower propensities to environmental protection and care behaviors when compared to participants from the capital city. In conclusion, the attitudes of environmental preservation, as well as, the environmental connectivity and inclusion may be important to explain attitudes towards solar and conventional energy, in this sense, the human values, especially the super-personal; values had the leading role in this context. It is trust, then, that this thesis represents an important contribution to the literatures of Social Psychology and Environmental Psychology, offering opportunities for considering future researches, mainly, contributing to the public policies in order to ensure environmental education and promote environmentally sustainable behaviors. / Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo geral conhecer em que medida as atitudes ambientais podem ser preditas em função dos valores humanos e da relação pessoa-ambiente. Especificamente, pretende-se conhecer como os valores humanos e a relação dos indivíduos com a natureza explicam atitudes pró-ambientais que promovam a utilização sustentável dos recursos naturais, tendo como focos a produção e o consumo de energia. Neste sentido, organizou-se o marco teórico tratando os temas de uso e conservação de energias convencionais e alternativas, além dos construtos valores, atitudes de preservação e inclusão ambiental. Dois estudos foram realizados. O Estudo 1 objetivou conhecer como as atitudes ambientais se correlacionavam com os valores humanos, as atitudes frente às energias convencional e solar, e a conexão e inclusão ambiental. Contou-se com uma amostra de conveniência (não probabilística) de 307 participantes provenientes da população geral (63%) e estudantes universitários de cursos de Tecnologia em Gestão Ambiental e Engenharia Florestal de Cuiabá (MT). Estes tinham idades variando entre 18 e 85 anos (m = 30,8; dp = 14,43), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (62%), tendo respondido os seguintes instrumentos: Inventário de Atitudes Ambientais, Escala de Conexão Ambiental, Escala de Inclusão Ambiental, Escala de Atitudes frente à Energia Solar, Escala de Atitudes frente à Energia Convencional, Questionário dos Valores Básicos, Escala de Desejabilidade Social e perguntas demográficas. Os resultados indicaram que os participantes se preocupam com o meio ambiente, tendo atitudes positivas frente às fontes de energias sustentáveis, além de se sentirem incluídas ao meio ambiente natural. No caso, os valores suprapessoais se correlacionaram positivamente com as atitudes de preservação, enquanto os sociais o fizeram com aquelas de utilização; as atitudes frente à energia solar se correlacionaram positivamente com as de preservação, porém aquelas frente à energia convencional o fizeram negativamente; e, finalmente, coerente com o resultado anterior, as atitudes frente à energia solar se correlacionaram positivamente com a conexão e inclusão ambiental, tendo sido observado um padrão oposto para as atitudes frente à energia convencional. O Estudo 2 objetivou replicar os achados anteriormente descritos. Neste sentido, contou-se com amostra de conveniência (não probabilística) de 175 participantes da população geral dos municípios de Cuiabá e Barão de Melgaço, os quais tinham com idades entre 18 e 92 anos (m = 37,7; dp = 14,43), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (62%). Tais participantes responderam os mesmos questionários anteriormente descritos. Em termos gerais, observaram-se os mesmos resultados do Estudo 1. Destaca-se, entretanto, que os participantes de Barão de Melgaço, apesar do predomínio de atividades diárias relacionadas com o meio ambiente natural, apresentam propensões menores para comportamentos de proteção e cuidado ambiental em comparação com aqueles de Cuiabá. Concluiu-se que as atitudes ambientais de preservação, assim como a conexão e inclusão ambiental, podem ser importantes para explicar as atitudes frente à energia solar e convencional, cabendo aos valores humanos, sobretudo os suprapessoais, papel de destaque neste contexto. Confia-se, portanto, que a presente tese represente contribuição importante para a literatura da psicologia social e ambiental, oferecendo oportunidade para pensar pesquisas futuras e, principalmente, contribuir com políticas públicas com o fim de assegurar a educação ambiental e promover condutas ambientalmente sustentáveis.

Submitted by Marilene Donadel (marilene.donadel@unioeste.br) on 2017-09-25T19:19:08Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Andressa_R_Ames_2017.pdf: 2124271 bytes, checksum: b4da96386f4f6f9c50807d02f76429cd (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-25T19:19:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Andressa_R_Ames_2017.pdf: 2124271 bytes, checksum: b4da96386f4f6f9c50807d02f76429cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-23 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The present study aimed to understand how children aged 10-12 years old get involved with the environment and how they perceive the different environmental risks. It also sought to analyze if there is a relationship between environmental satisfaction and environmental attitudes, to evaluate and compare how children perceive the risks of local disasters and other risks that affect the planet as a whole, as well as whether there are differences by sex with regard to environmental attitudes. The study used a mixed methodology, using as data collection techniques the questionnaire and the focus group. The following instruments were used in the quantitative study: the scale The 24 Risk Items of Slimak and Dietz (2006) reduced to 13 items; The Environmental Attitudes Scale for Children (Galli, 2014; Leeming & Dwyer 1995); The Children's Scale of Environmental Satisfaction (CSES) of Galli (2014), and an ad hoc scale that assessed the Perception of Disaster Risk Exposure (PDRE). The focus group has emphasized issues such as environmental problems, disaster risk perception, environmental satisfaction and environmental attitudes. 886 children participated in the quantitative study, of which 478 (54%) were female and 405 (46%) were males, with an average age of 10.66 years (SD = 0.62). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques (factorial analysis, correlation, linear regression, t-test for independent and dependent samples), with the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, v. 23.0). Twenty-four students participated in the qualitative study, seven of them female and seventeen male, all of them students of the sixth grade of the public school in Cascavel-PR. Qualitative data were analyzed using the Content Analysis method. The results indicated that environmental attitudes influence the environmental satisfaction of children. In turn, the greater the perception of disaster risk, the lower the environmental satisfaction of the child. Female children had higher mean environmental attitudes when compared to males, and these differences were significant in the variables "Turn off water from the sink when brushing your teeth to save water" and "Close the refrigerator door while deciding what to catch". The study showed that children have higher averages in the perception about the importance of risks related to the global context than local and that this perception about the importance of global risks predicts environmental attitudes. / O presente estudo teve como objetivo compreender como as crianças com idade entre 10-12 anos se relacionam com o ambiente e como percebem os diferentes riscos ambientais. Buscou ainda analisar se existe relação entre satisfação ambiental e atitudes ambientais, avaliar e comparar como as crianças percebem os riscos de desastres locais e outros riscos que afetam o planeta como um todo, bem como se existem diferenças por sexo no que diz respeito às atitudes ambientais.O estudo utiliza metodologia mista, tendo como técnicas de coleta de dados o questionário e o grupo focal. Foram utilizados os seguintes instrumentos no estudo quantitativo: a escala The 24 Risk Itens de Slimak e Dietz (2006) reduzida para 13 itens; a Escala de Atitudes Ambientais para Crianças (Galli, 2014; Leeming & Dwyer 1995); A Escala Infantil de Satisfação com o Ambiente (EISA) de Galli (2014) e uma escala ad hoc que avaliou a Percepção de Risco de Exposição à Desastres (EPRED). O grupo focal teve como temas norteadores os problemas ambientais, percepção de risco de desastres, satisfação ambiental e atitudes ambientais. Participaram do estudo quantitativo 886 crianças, sendo 478 (54%) do sexo feminino e 405 (46%) do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 10,66 anos (DP=0,62). Os dados quantitativos foram analisados por meio de técnicas de estatística descritiva e multivariada (análise fatorial, correlação, regressão linear, teste t para amostras independente e dependentes), com o auxílio do Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, v. 23.0). Do estudo qualitativo, participaram 24 alunos, sendo sete do sexo feminino e dezessete do sexo masculino. Todos os estudantes cursavam o sexto ano do ensino fundamental da rede pública de Cascavel-PR. Os dados qualitativos foram analisados através do método de Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que as atitudes ambientais exercem influência na satisfação ambiental das crianças. Por sua vez, quanto maior a percepção de risco de desastres, menor a satisfação ambiental da criança. As crianças do sexo feminino apresentaram maiores médias nas atitudes ambientais quando comparadas às do sexo masculino, sendo que essas diferenças foram significativas nas variáveis “Desliga a água da pia quando escova seus dentes para economizar água” e “Pede para sua família reciclar algumas das coisas que vocês usam”. O estudo mostrou que as crianças possuem maiores médias na percepção sobre a importância dos riscos relacionados ao contexto global do que local e que essa percepção sobre a importância dos riscos globais prediz atitudes ambientais.

In this study, attitudes and perceived implications for quality of life of environmentalists were explored, with a specific focus on the domestic use of renewable energy sources. A systems theoretical approach was followed in conjunction with a qualitative methodology in order to place the attitudes and perceived implications for quality of life in context with the systems in which they exist. The in-depth data that was collected by means of face-to-face interviews was analysed in a qualitative and systems theoretical framework. The three stages of analysis of the data are described and this culminates in a discussion of the six identified pattern categories. The conceptual discussion that follows are based on these six pattern categories. The participants' learned attitude toward the environment, the role of responsibility and its influence on perceived quality of life, risk perception as inhibitor of action, renewable energy and the perception of self, renewable energy as available medium and the possibility of change of attitude toward renewable energy sources are discussed in depth. The interaction between the energy-consumer system and the energy-environment system is explored and placed within the larger context. The recognition of a difference in a system, the interactive parts thereof, the transactional process between the systems and the collateral energy added by either or both of the systems, transactional processes and the required feedback loops, the difference that makes a difference and the description of transformation processes expose a hierarchy of logical types inherent in the system. / Dissertation (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Psychology / MA (Research Psychology) / unrestricted

This work explores the influence of place of residence on the environmental attitudes and particularly their formation. I try to find differences in environmental attitudes of respondents from village and town in the context of other factors which have influence on formation of environmental attitudes. These factors are family environment, personal nature experience or impact of social environment. For this reason, I conducted a case study of environmental attitudes and their formation process of the respondents from the village Hostouň and respondents from the Capital City of Prague. The theoretical part focuses on attitudes in general and issues of environmental attitudes. It provides an overview of socio- demographic factors which do affect the environmental attitudes, mainly the place of residence. I also deal with the measurement of environmental attitudes, and define the terms village and town. The empirical part provides analysis of twenty semistructured interviews - ten respondents from the village and ten respondents from the city. I also conducted research using the additional standardized questionnaire NEP. The main objective was to identify existing differences in the current environmental attitudes of respondents from village and town. I also try to establish what impact the place of...