Assessing the risk perception of soil degradation using a college student sample

Abstract

This study explores the social-psychological dimensions of risk perception to soil degradation using a structural equation model that integrates knowledge, emotion (affect), experience, values, and social norms. The survey and resulting model were created through the adaption of a survey developed and empirically tested to assess climate change risk perception. The model was tested on a sample of college students (n = 513). Results indicate that our model explains nearly two-thirds (63%) of the variance in risk perception of soil degradation, with knowledge accounting for a substantial portion of the variance both directly to risk perception and as mediated by affect. Experience and social norms were also significant predictors of risk perception, while values, gender and political affiliation exhibited no significant predictor value for risk perception.