The Understanding of Environmental Concern

Social science literature which has addressed concern for the quality of the natural environment is reviewed. The development of multidimensional models is identified as a contemporary theme in this and environmental psychology research. The results of research by Hackett, 1987, 1989, 1992a&b, in press, and Hackett & Florence, 1991, are reviewed and a multivariate model of environmental concern is developed. Commonality of structure is found to exist in environmental concern attitudes/values within this model. However, environmental conservation action and/or issue specific variables are found to be important in structuring evaluations.