Anhalt, Luna (2022) Public Participation Goals and Citizens' Willingness to Participate in Decision-Making about Renewable Energy Policies. Master thesis, Psychology.
|
Text
Masterthesis_L.Anhalt_s3666336.pdf Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Public participation in decision-making could help to alleviate the resistance of citizens against renewable energy projects, which are needed to mitigate climate change. However, the willingness to participate is generally low (Hoti et al., 2021). This study was the first to empirically test and compare the effects of three goal descriptions of public participation as described by Fiorino (1990) on the willingness to participate. Among N = 168 German participants, neither of the three goal descriptions (compared to no goal description) led to different levels of willingness to participate in the decision-making on a (fictive) national policy on renewable energy (macro-level). Further, neither of the three goals predicted perceived procedural fairness and perceived usefulness compared to no goal description and thus these variables did not mediate the relationship between goal description and willingness to participate. When comparing the three goals directly, there was no significant difference in willingness to participate, perceived procedural fairness or perceived usefulness. However, perceived usefulness significantly predicted willingness to participate. One limitation was that at the time of data collection (April 2022), a gas shortage was expected due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and thus energy in general and the urgent need for more renewable energy was a highly discussed topic in Germany. Recommendations for future research include comparing the effects of different levels of public participation (micro vs. macro-level), controlling for pre-existing beliefs about public participation, testing what factors increase perceived usefulness, and integrating the aspect of decision-making power into the public participation goals.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Kok, C.A. and Judge, M.A.T. and Liu, L. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | Environmental Psychology (EP) [Master Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Aug 2022 11:22 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Aug 2022 11:22 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1272 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |