Factors Affecting Attitudes toward Nuclear Power in the Netherlands

Abstract

Attitudes regarding the civil use of nuclear power were examined in 72 subjects who differed with regard to nativity of Zeeland, sex, living distance to a power plant, and political affiliation. The results indicate that, contrary to a dissonance hypothesis, there were no differences between native and nonnative Zeeuwen but that there were significant differences between subjects who lived close to the plant and those who lived farther away. That is, those who lived close to the plant were more critical and more active than those who lived farther away. These differences are also contrary to the hypothesis. Furthermore, the results suggest significant differences between men and women and between left- and right-wing subjects. Women perceived a greater risk of a serious accident from the plant than men; left-wing subjects were on the whole more critical of the use of nuclear power than right-wing subjects.