Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Intention to respond to local wind turbines: The role of attitudes and visual perception

Johansson, Maria LU orcid and Laike, Thorbjörn LU (2007) In Wind Energy 10(5). p.435-451
Abstract
Wind power projects frequently face public opposition during the siting process. A deeper understanding of social factors has therefore been called for. Based on psychological theories, the present research was initiated in order to study the relative importance of individual aspects related to visual perception and attitudinal factors in public intention to oppose local wind turbines. In an empirical study, 80 people assessed the visual characteristics of wind turbines on site and rated their emotional state. They also completed a questionnoire covering attitudes towards the turbines, perception of significant others'opinions of local wind turbines, and perceived possibilities to oppose as well as intention to oppose local turbines.... (More)
Wind power projects frequently face public opposition during the siting process. A deeper understanding of social factors has therefore been called for. Based on psychological theories, the present research was initiated in order to study the relative importance of individual aspects related to visual perception and attitudinal factors in public intention to oppose local wind turbines. In an empirical study, 80 people assessed the visual characteristics of wind turbines on site and rated their emotional state. They also completed a questionnoire covering attitudes towards the turbines, perception of significant others'opinions of local wind turbines, and perceived possibilities to oppose as well as intention to oppose local turbines. Moreover, socio-demographics, factors related to the place of residence and general attitude towards wind power, were investigated. In a multiple regression analysis explaining 50% of the variance, it was found that intention to oppose was related to only a few perceptual and attitudinal factors, i.e. the perceived unity of the environment, the personal attitude towards the effects of wind turbines on landscape aesthetics and recreation, and the general attitude towards wind power. Of minor importance was the attitude towards the effects of wind turbines on people's daily quality of life. It seems important to involve the public in the discussion of how wind power installations can be integrated into the landscape without threatening the visual beauty and the recreational value of the natural and cultural environment. Moreover, social intervention is required to promote positive attitudes towards wind turbines. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
power turbines, visual perception, intention to, attitudes, oppose, public
in
Wind Energy
volume
10
issue
5
pages
435 - 451
publisher
John Wiley & Sons Inc.
external identifiers
  • wos:000249961900003
  • scopus:34948847709
ISSN
1099-1824
DOI
10.1002/we.232
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Environmental Psychology (011036009)
id
884a9da0-e388-4812-9c96-11f21397b9e6 (old id 655564)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:44:07
date last changed
2024-01-07 18:32:02
@article{884a9da0-e388-4812-9c96-11f21397b9e6,
  abstract     = {{Wind power projects frequently face public opposition during the siting process. A deeper understanding of social factors has therefore been called for. Based on psychological theories, the present research was initiated in order to study the relative importance of individual aspects related to visual perception and attitudinal factors in public intention to oppose local wind turbines. In an empirical study, 80 people assessed the visual characteristics of wind turbines on site and rated their emotional state. They also completed a questionnoire covering attitudes towards the turbines, perception of significant others'opinions of local wind turbines, and perceived possibilities to oppose as well as intention to oppose local turbines. Moreover, socio-demographics, factors related to the place of residence and general attitude towards wind power, were investigated. In a multiple regression analysis explaining 50% of the variance, it was found that intention to oppose was related to only a few perceptual and attitudinal factors, i.e. the perceived unity of the environment, the personal attitude towards the effects of wind turbines on landscape aesthetics and recreation, and the general attitude towards wind power. Of minor importance was the attitude towards the effects of wind turbines on people's daily quality of life. It seems important to involve the public in the discussion of how wind power installations can be integrated into the landscape without threatening the visual beauty and the recreational value of the natural and cultural environment. Moreover, social intervention is required to promote positive attitudes towards wind turbines. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.}},
  author       = {{Johansson, Maria and Laike, Thorbjörn}},
  issn         = {{1099-1824}},
  keywords     = {{power turbines; visual perception; intention to; attitudes; oppose; public}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{5}},
  pages        = {{435--451}},
  publisher    = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
  series       = {{Wind Energy}},
  title        = {{Intention to respond to local wind turbines: The role of attitudes and visual perception}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/we.232}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/we.232}},
  volume       = {{10}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}