TY - JOUR
T1 - Same as it ever was?
T2 - Stability and change over 15 years in a rural district in Southeastern Australia
AU - Toman, Eric
AU - Curtis, Allan Lindsay
AU - Mendham, Emily
N1 - Includes bibliographical references.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Using longitudinal survey data, this paper explores stability and change in values, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge among rural landholders. Existing theories predict varying degrees of stability in these constructs. This paper tests these assumptions through data collected by four cross-sectional surveys of rural landowners (>10 ha), completed in one region between 2002 and 2016. The study area includes a mix of social landscapes but agriculture is the dominant land use. Results reveal significant change in measured constructs over time. Nearly all of the items assessing values changed significantly across the study period (seven of eight held values, ten of eleven assigned values). Most belief items (three of five), half of the attitude items (two of four), and all eleven knowledge items also experienced change. While statistically significant, most of the identified changes were relatively modest in scope. Findings suggest the value of longitudinal research to better understand dynamic psychological and social constructs.
AB - Using longitudinal survey data, this paper explores stability and change in values, beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge among rural landholders. Existing theories predict varying degrees of stability in these constructs. This paper tests these assumptions through data collected by four cross-sectional surveys of rural landowners (>10 ha), completed in one region between 2002 and 2016. The study area includes a mix of social landscapes but agriculture is the dominant land use. Results reveal significant change in measured constructs over time. Nearly all of the items assessing values changed significantly across the study period (seven of eight held values, ten of eleven assigned values). Most belief items (three of five), half of the attitude items (two of four), and all eleven knowledge items also experienced change. While statistically significant, most of the identified changes were relatively modest in scope. Findings suggest the value of longitudinal research to better understand dynamic psychological and social constructs.
KW - Attitudes
KW - Beliefs
KW - Change in social constructs
KW - Knowledge
KW - Longitudinal research
KW - Values
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U2 - 10.1080/08941920.2018.1505014
DO - 10.1080/08941920.2018.1505014
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85057281192
VL - 32
SP - 113
EP - 132
JO - Society and Natural Resources
JF - Society and Natural Resources
SN - 0894-1920
IS - 1
ER -