Factors Predisposing Individuals to Support Nuclear Disarmament: An International Perspective

Abstract

This study investigated whether selected social psychological factors predisposed individuals from four different countries to support the policy of nuclear disarmament. Social surveys were conducted during 1986 in Australia, West Germany, Netherlands and the United States. Community samples (n>160) of residents in each of the countries completed measures of worldmindedness, attitude toward institutional authority and stress engendered by the prospect of nuclear war. Other questions tapped support for nuclear disarmament, both attitudinal and behavioural. Results of correlation and regression analyses showed that in each country residents who supported nuclear disarmament were significantly more likely than others to be relatively worldminded, less favourably disposed to institutional authority and more anxious about nuclear war. In addition, there was a tendency for support to be greater among young people and females. It is concluded that whilst local conditions may determine the degree of support for nuclear disarmament, predisposing factors, of which social attitudes are more important, may operate with similar effect across national boundaries.