Specialists, laymen and the process of environmental appraisal

Sewell W. R. D. and Little B. R. (1973) Specialists, laymen and the process of environmental appraisal, Reg. Studies 7, 161–171. While “environmental impact statements” have assumed increasing importance in recent years, little is known about factors influencing the process of environmental appraisal which underlies these statements. This paper examines one critical factor, specialization, and indicates the role it can play in undermining the presumed objectivity of appraisals. A conceptual framework for looking at the appraisal process as a socially legitimated form of environmental construing is set forth, and links with the environmental perception literature made. Several new methods for assessing “psychospecialization” variables are outlined, together with a summary of some preliminary empirical studies.