The influence of values on evaluations of energy alternatives. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perlaviciute, G.; Steg, L.
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 77(2015)
• Page Start: 259
• Page End: 267
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Attitudes -- Evaluations -- Nuclear energy -- Renewable energy -- Values; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.12.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: Although both promoted as sustainable, nuclear and renewable energy elicit different evaluations in people. People expect (whether true or not) different implications for the environment and for consumers' resources from these energy alternatives. But what factors define the perceived importance of these environmental and individual consequences, and will this affect people's attitudes toward energy alternatives? Do these factors also influence perceptions of consequences of energy alternatives? The authors propose that people's biospheric (e.g. valuing nature) and egoistic (e.g. valuing wealth) values affect evaluations of energy alternatives in three important ways. First, as expected, the results showed that the stronger their egoistic values, the more important people find individual consequences of energy alternatives, whereas the stronger their biospheric values, the more important they find environmental consequences. Second, this indeed translated into attitudes: the stronger their egoistic values, the more people favored nuclear energy and the less they favored renewable energy, whereas the opposite was found for biospheric values. Third, values colored the perceptions of consequences. Specifically, whether people ascribed negative or positive consequences to energy alternatives aligned with their value-based attitudes toward these alternatives. The results were robust despite variations in energy alternatives and the methods used. Practical implications are provided. Highlights: Values guide the perceived importance of consequences of energy alternatives. Importance ratings are value-congruent and independent of the energy alternative. Values shape general attitudes towards energy alternatives. Values color the perceived consequences of energy alternatives. Value-driven attitudes and perceived consequences depend on the energy alternative.