Evaluation of the effects of spatial optimism and temporal pessimism in assessments of environmental conditions in Argentina

JAKOVCEVIC ADRIANA; FERREIRO JULIAN; PARAMO PABLO; MUSTACA ALBA

Psyecology

Fundacion Infancia y Aprendizaje

Año: 2013 p. 139 - 166

2171-1976

Previous evidence in many countries shows the presence of biases in the assessment of environmental risks. The goal pursued here was to extend the study to an Argentine sample and to compare its assessments with an objective indicator of national environmental state. A revised version of the Environmental Future Scale was administered, which evaluates perceptions of environmental problems at a local, national and global level, in the present and in the future. A spatial optimism effect was partially observed in the assessment of current environmental conditions and, for the first time, this effect was observed in the assessment of future conditions. In turn, participants showed temporal pessimism, judging that environmental issues will worsen in the future at the three spatial levels. Finally, citizens? assessments did not match the environmental index results. These results have important implications for environmental policy and local risk management strategies.