Public Attitudes and Decision Making

Otway, H.J. & Fishbein, M. (1977). Public Attitudes and Decision Making. IIASA Research Memorandum. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: RM-77-054

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Abstract

Decision makers are increasingly being faced with the necessity of considering the relevant attitudes of various publics. This paper describes a method by which these attitudes may be measured. The model has the feature of synthesizing the cognitive and evaluative components underlying attitude in a fashion that preserves the distinction between them.

Preliminary results are reported of an application of this model, using a revised measuring instrument, to attitudes toward five different types of energy systems. The sample was a heterogenous group of 224 respondents residing in various parts of Austria. Results from this sample of the general public are reported only for attitudes towards nuclear power; they are generally consistent with the pilot study. A factor analysis of the beliefs underlying this attitude suggested four basic belief factors: beliefs about psychological risks, about economic and technological benefits, about socio-political risks and about environmental and physical risks.

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