This research paper deals with the current issue of the global climate crisis and the personal responsibility to act against it. Theoretically, it is based on the combination of the paradox of voting and the collective action problem, which are adapted to the topic of the climate crisis. Within the seminar paper, four assumptions about knowledge, the perception of urgency, responsibility and the willingness to take action are developed, which ought to solve the assumed free-rider-problem within the climate crisis. Background for the discussion delivers a qualitative content analysis based on Mayring (2015) and Kuckartz (2016). Five qualitative interviews with master students of political science of the University of Bamberg were conducted with the help of an open guideline. The interviews were coded through the computer-aided program MAXQDA.
Table of Contents
1. An Introduction to the Topic Climate Crisis
2. Theory and Assumptions
2.1. Definition of the Climate Crisis
2.2. Theoretical Assumptions about the Climate Crisis and individual Behaviour
2.2.1. Knowledge and the Perception of the Climate Crisis
2.2.2. Urgency and Feelings of Responsibility
2.2.3. Feelings of Responsibility, Effectiveness and Willingness to take Action
2.3. The Role of Political Science Students
3. Research Design
3.1. Qualitative Method of Investigation
3.1.1. Data Collection through Interviews
3.1.1.1. The Survey Instrument: Guided Interviews
3.1.1.2. Problem-Focused Interview
3.1.2. Operationalization
3.2. Practical Research Details
3.2.1. Access to Case Selection
3.2.2. Aspects of the Survey Situation
3.2.3. Data Analysis / Coding
4. Analysis
4.1. Knowledge and Perception of Importance
4.2. Feelings of Responsibility towards Climate Crisis
4.3. Perception of Effectivity and Willingness to take Action
4.4. Perceived Problems with Climate Crisis
5. Interpretation
6. Conclusion and Reflection
Research Objectives & Key Themes
This research paper explores how master students of political science perceive the current climate crisis and assesses their willingness to engage in individual action against it. The study investigates the psychological and behavioral mechanisms that influence decision-making in the context of the climate crisis, specifically examining the paradox of voting and the collective action problem to understand why individuals feel responsible or refrain from taking action.
- Theoretical application of the paradox of voting and collective action theory to the climate crisis.
- Evaluation of the role of political knowledge, urgency, and perceived effectiveness in attitude formation.
- Qualitative assessment of individual responsibility versus state-level accountability.
- The impact of collective identity and social movements on individual willingness to act.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2. Theoretical Assumptions about the Climate Crisis and individual Behaviour
In this paragraph the issues of the paradox of voting at the individual level and the collective action problem at the aggregate level are combined, transferred to the subject of the climate crisis and used as a theoretical basis for this seminar paper. Nevertheless, at first, it needs to be emphasized that, in an epistemological perspective, the nature of individual behaviour cannot be observed objectively. An observer cannot be objective, because they live in an individual social world and are effected by individual social constructions of reality. In this sense, a double hermeneutic approach underlines the generated theory, which means that the world is interpreted by the actors (one hermeneutic level) and their interpretation is interpreted by the observer (second hermeneutic level) (cf. Marsh & Furlong, p. 17). Additionally, this research paper follows the perspective that we can establish relationships between social phenomena, but it is assumed that there are some relations which exist, but are not directly observable. So, this seminar paper does not claim to uncover a complete objective reality.
Summary of Chapters
1. An Introduction to the Topic Climate Crisis: Outlines the socio-political significance of the climate crisis and introduces the research question regarding the perceptions and actions of master students.
2. Theory and Assumptions: Defines the core concept and integrates rational choice theories to formulate four working assumptions regarding individual behavior.
3. Research Design: Justifies the use of qualitative guided interviews and explains the operationalization and coding process via MAXQDA.
4. Analysis: Presents the findings from the interviews, structured around knowledge, responsibility, effectiveness, and perceived problems.
5. Interpretation: Connects the empirical data to the theoretical assumptions, evaluating which hypotheses were accepted or rejected.
6. Conclusion and Reflection: Summarizes the key findings, establishes a final hypothesis regarding climate action, and discusses research limitations and policy implications.
Keywords
Climate crisis, individual responsibility, collective action problem, paradox of voting, political science students, qualitative content analysis, perception of urgency, individual effectiveness, behavioral change, climate policy, social constructions, sustainability, rational choice theory, environmental ethics, political participation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary objective of this research paper?
The paper aims to investigate how political science master students perceive the climate crisis and to determine the factors that influence their willingness to take individual action against it.
What are the core theoretical frameworks used in this study?
The study relies on the paradox of voting (Downs, 1957) and the collective action problem (Olson, 1965) to explain individual inaction, adapting these to the context of global climate change.
Which methodology was applied to collect data?
The author conducted five qualitative, problem-focused guided interviews with political science master students at the University of Bamberg.
What is the central research question?
The question asks: "How do master students of political science perceive the climate crises and are they willing to take action against it?"
What findings did the analysis reveal regarding responsibility?
The findings suggest that when individuals feel a lack of personal efficacy, they tend to attribute greater responsibility to the state and collective levels, highlighting a perceived need for governmental regulation.
What role does 'perceived effectiveness' play in the model?
Perceived effectiveness acts as a mediator; even if an individual feels responsible, they are unlikely to act unless they believe their specific contributions are effective in impacting the climate crisis.
How does the study define the 'free-rider problem' in the climate context?
It identifies that most individuals view their personal carbon emissions as insignificant in the context of the total global output, leading to a rational-choice based decision to remain inactive, similar to the logic of not voting.
What did the author conclude about the state's role?
The author concludes that state regulations are seen as necessary not only for environmental impact but also as a way to solve the collective action dilemma by providing the framework for individual behavior change.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Maren Weiß (Autor:in), 2020, Attitudes towards Climate Change and the Willingness to Take Action, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1127980
