Behavioral Commitment to Environmental Protection

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Abstract
This investigation explored the factors that produce a significant behavioral commitment to environmental protection. Interviews were conducted with members of the Sierra Club: 47 who were active in Club activities and 46 who were not active. The variables for which significant between-group differences were found include: Club-related friendships, values, perceptions of the efficacy of citizen action, feeling personally harmed by an environmental problem, political orientation, and activity in other organizations. A number of other plausible hypotheses about differences between the groups were not confirmed. The results are discussed in terms of two explanations for involvement: differences between the groups existing prior to membership and differences in experiences after becoming members. The present data tend to suggest that the latter may be more important than the former.