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.