Dennis Nigbur

Attitudes, norms, identity and environmental behaviour: using an expanded theory of planned behaviour to predict participation in a kerbside recycling programme

In an effort to contribute to greater understanding of norms and identity in the theory of planned behaviour, an extended model was used to predict residential kerbside recycling, with self-identity, personal norms, neighbourhood identification, and injunctive and descriptive social norms as additional predictors. Data from a field study (N=527) using questionnaire measures of predictor variables and an observational measure of recycling behaviour supported the theory. Intentions predicted behaviour, while attitudes, perceived control, and the personal norm predicted intention to recycle. The interaction between neighbourhood identification and injunctive social norms in turn predicted personal norms. Self-identity and the descriptive social norm significantly added to the original theory in predicting intentions as well as behaviour directly. A replication survey on the self-reported recycling behaviours of a random residential sample (N=264) supported the model obtained previously. These findings offer a useful extension of the theory of planned behaviour and some practicable suggestions for pro-recycling interventions. It may be productive to appeal to self-identity by making people feel like recyclers, and to stimulate both injunctive and descriptive norms in the neighbourhood.

Acculturation Attitudes and Social Adjustment in British South Asian Children A Longitudinal Study

A 1-year longitudinal study with three testing points was conducted with 215 British Asian children aged 5 to 11 years to test hypotheses from Berry’s acculturation framework. Using age-appropriate measures of acculturation attitudes and psychosocial outcomes, it was found that (a) children generally favored an “integrationist” attitude, and this was more pronounced among older (8-10 years) than in younger (5-7 years) children and (b) temporal changes in social self-esteem and peer acceptance were associated with different acculturation attitudes held initially, as shown by latent growth curve analyses. However, a supplementary time-lagged regression analysis revealed that children’s earlier “integrationist” attitudes may be associated with more emotional symptoms (based on teachers’ ratings) 6 months later. The implications of these different outcomes of children’s acculturation attitudes are discussed.

Social capital, ethnicity and children’s well-being: Aspects of social capital in the everyday lives of British Punjabi children

This paper discusses the relationship between minority ethnicity, well‐being and childrens social capital in the light of data from a qualitative study on social capital among 32 British Punjabi primary school children. Through a broad overview of social capital literature on ethnic minorities and childrens welfare, the case is made for placing childrens well‐being in a contextual framework that acknowledges the variety and wealth of childrens everyday experiences. Looking at the childrens social networks and future aspirations, the discussion will draw out ways in which social capital processes interact with other aspects of childrens identity, including ethnicity and gender, from a child‐centred perspective. Finally, some exploratory ideas are offered as to how bonding processes may affect childrens psychological well‐being, and how they may be viewed through the concept of ‘emotional capital’.

Akkulturation und Integration ethnischer Gruppen

Migration pragt heute den Alltag vieler europaischer Staaten. In Deutschland zum Beispiel liegt der Anteil der Bevolkerung mit Migrationshintergrund mittlerweile bei 19 Prozent (Statistisches Bundesamt, 2006). Eine Konsequenz dieser Entwicklung ist, dass immer ofter Menschengruppen mit verschiedenen kulturellen Hintergrunden in Kontakt miteinander kommen. Oft hat interkultureller Kontakt Veranderungen in der Kultur und Lebensweise einer oder mehrerer Gruppen zur Folge. Diese Veranderungen sind von Redfield, Linton und Herskovits (1936) als ‚Akkulturation’ bezeichnet worden. Akkulturation ist allerdings kein Vorgang, der nur passiv erlebt wird. Im Gegenteil haben viele Menschen – ob sie selbst migriert sind oder nicht – bestimmte Vorstellungen davon, welche Formen der Akkulturation wunschenswert sind. Diese Meinungen werden im Weiteren als Akkulturationseinstellungen bezeichnet. Migranten und Menschen ohne Migrationshintergrund nehmen oft aktiv Einfluss auf den Akkulturationsprozess, um ein bestimmtes Resultat zu erzielen.

Understanding Attitudes Towards Native Wildlife and Biodiversity in the UK: The Role of Zoos

The present paper draws from a study of the role of zoos in forming attitudes towards biodiversity and native wild carnivores that are considered for reintroduction. The project is being developed by an interdisciplinary team (wildlife conservation, psychology, education) working towards the development of a questionnaire to investigate this topic in the UK. Research suggests that experiences with live animals in zoos may encourage empathy, through personal connection, which in turn facilitates greater concern towards biodiversity. Concomitantly, the reintroduction of wild carnivores to their native habitats may contribute to biodiversity by helping regulate ecosystem dynamics. Carnivores also carry a rich cultural and historical heritage. IUCN guidelines state the need for public support to establish a reintroduced population in the wild, therefore, carnivore restoration efforts benefit from the understanding of the human dimensions. A pilot study was carried out in Kent (spring 2015) using focus groups and interviews to investigate attitudes towards biodiversity, with particular focus on two species of carnivores native to the British Isles and currently considered for reintroduction (the European lynx Lynx lynx and the pine marten Martes martes) and the role of zoos in promoting support towards biodiversity conservation. Results suggest an association between seeing native wild carnivore species in the zoo and emotional responses such as ‘breaking down fears’, but also concerns about a disconnect between people and nature, and misunderstanding about the role of zoos in ‘protecting’ species. Below we offer a discussion of the themes that emerged from the analysis of focus groups and interviews in relation to biodiversity.