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Title
Identifying climate change interpretive communities in a large Australian sample
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008:
Author(s)
Reser, Joseph P
Bradley, Graham L
Glendon, A Ian
Publication Date
2013
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008
Abstract
Australians vary considerably in their beliefs and responses to climate change, and addressing this diversity is an important challenge faced by climate change communicators. This study used audience segmentation analysis to identify the main climate change interpretive communities within Australia. A nationwide sample consisting of 3096 residents (aged 15-108 years, 47% male and 53% female) completed an online survey assessing a broad range of cognitive, affective, and behavioural constructs related to climate change. Latent profile analysis applied to the psychological variables suggested that this Australian sample consists of five distinct interpretive communities: 'Alarmed' (26%), 'Concerned' (39%), 'Uncertain' (14%), 'Doubtful' (12%), and 'Dismissive' (9%). Validation analyses revealed that these groups differed in their: (1) behavioural responses to climate change, (2) consumption of climate change related media, and (3) preferences for energy policies. Recommendations are presented for developing more effective climate change communications by tailoring and targeting communications to specific interpretive communities.
Publication Type
Journal Article
Source of Publication
Journal of Environmental Psychology, v.36, p. 229-239
Publisher
Academic Press
Place of Publication
United Kingdom
ISSN
1522-9610
0272-4944
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020
Peer Reviewed
Yes
HERDC Category Description
Peer Reviewed
Yes
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