THE STABILITY OF NUCLEAR ATTITUDES AFTER CHERNOBYL

The stability of nuclear attitudes was investigated in a panel design (N = 286) comprising five measurements during the period December 1986-October 1988. Attitudes were found to be considerably less stable over the five measurements when analyses were performed at an individual level, compared with the aggregated mean attitude scores of the sample. Also, specific beliefs were less stable than general attitudes. Supporters of nuclear power appeared to be less stable in their general attitude than opponents. Supporters also showed more ambivalence in their perception of risks and benefits than did opponents. Ambivalence was shown to be related to attitude stability independently of differences in attitudes. Effects of involvement on stability could not be demonstrated when ambivalence and attitudes were controlled. © 1990 Academic Press Limited.