The research will develop and test an attitude-behavior model based on reasoned action to explain individual risk judgments regarding global climate change. The model incorporates key aspects of the dominant theoretical and empirical approaches to risk judgments. The elements of the model are: levels of knowledge, cultural values, perceived vulnerability, attitude toward hazard, perceived social norms, and perception of control. Survey data will be used to test the model using various regression techniques as well as non-parametric statistics. The results are expected to improve our understanding of public opinion on global climate change, illuminate the process of risk decisions as they occur in polling situations better, and help develop a more effective tool to pursue scientific inference regarding risk judgments.
