Social Vulnerability to Toxic Risk

SUMMARY

A model of social vulnerability to toxic risk from fugitive chemical releases is tested in 8 southeastern U.S. states. Using structural equation modeling techniques, population density emerged as the critical factor driving exposure to toxic risk. Results indicate that: social vulnerability varies across types and sources of toxic risk; social factors, such as race, that increase risk in some circumstances may buffer risk in others; and that toxic risk has both social justice and social welfare components. Practice and research implications include the importance of community planning and economic models that enhance environmental quality and health along with economic security.     

Social Movement Identity: Validating a Measure of Identification with the Environmental Movement*

Objective. We offer an empirical measure of “social movement identity” vis‐à‐vis the environmental movement. Our measure of environmental movement identity complements existing efforts to measure the ambiguous concept of “environmental identity.” Methods. We utilize data from a 2000 Gallup Poll of 1,004 adults to examine relationships between our measure of environmental movement identity and self‐reported membership in environmental organizations, assessments of the environmental movement, and self‐reported pro‐environmental behaviors. Results. The measure appears to have face validity, and our results suggest it also has construct and predictive validity since it is related to environmental organization memberships, assessments of the environmental movement, and self‐reported pro‐environmental behaviors—even when controlling for relevant sociopolitical characteristics. Conclusions. The measure is useful for analyses of the environmental movement, can be adapted for research on other movements, and can help social movement analysts respond to calls to investigate linkages between public opinion and movement dynamics.     

Social Welfare and Environmental Uncertainty

This paper discusses the organizational role of social welfare in attempting to reduce or control uncertainty in the environment of individuals and in the wider community. It is suggested that differing degrees of environmental turbulence require different responses from social welfare organizations and social policy-makers.     

环境公平:环境问题的社会学视点

本文简略地评析了环境公平概念的提出及其社会学意义,指出环境公平的概念正是社会学与环境问题研究的链接点.作者分析了当代中国发展过程中在国际层次、地区层次和群体层次上所面临的环境公平问题,并提出了若干保障和促进环境公平的对策,如维护环境主权,警惕生态帝国主义;完善污染者付费制度;设立国家环境基金;延伸社会救助制度,实施环境救济;加强环境执法,维护公众的环境权益等.     

Disentangling Energy Policy from Environmental Policy*

Objectives. I attempt to disentangle energy policy from environmental policy in order to explain the shifting politics surrounding the former. I can then explain why energy policies have historically provided distributive benefits but also the implications of the fact that energy proposals have in recent years become more regulatory in nature. Methods. I use a range of methods. These include qualitative accounts of the evolution of energy policy, graphic depictions of congressional activity, spending, and partisanship, and multivariate analyses of oversight activities. Results. I find that policymakers have historically treated energy issues as distributive policy, resulting in an emphasis on spending and oversight but not on substantial legislation. Over the last three decades, as policymakers push energy proposals that are more regulatory in nature, energy politics have become more divisive and partisan. Conclusion. Ultimately, I conclude that the enactment of strong energy policies will necessarily involve conditions that have been conducive to passage of other strong regulatory policies.     

Social Networks Among Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders*

This study examines the social networks and deviant behavior of 92 male and female adolescent offenders in a secure training school. Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with the youth and repeated following a four-week interval. Record data were reviewed to assess behavioral adjustment. The Social Cognitive Map analytic technique was utilized to identify social clusters. Findings indicate that these extremely delinquent youth formed reasonably stable social networks within the institution. Social clusters were distinguished most strongly on the basis of gender, race and proximity. Individuals within clusters had similar levels of behavioral adjustment and perceptions of intimacy with peers. The processes of peer group formation are similar to those found among public school counterparts. Treatment implications are discussed.     

Social Identity Theory and Party Identification*

Objective. Given that the group aspect of party identification forms a central, yet largely unexplored element of American partisanship, social identity theory presents a compelling social‐psychological theory of group belonging through which to reinterpret the contemporary understanding of partisanship. Methods. Using a mail survey of 302 randomly selected Franklin County, Ohio residents, levels of social identification with the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and political independents are measured using the Identification with a Psychological Group (IDPG) scale. Scores on the IDPG are used to predict attitudes toward parties and the consistency of partisan behavior. Results. Levels of partisan social identity proved to be significant predictors of political party ratings, ideology, and party activities, even when taking traditional measures of partisan strength into account. Conclusions. Social identity is a fundamental aspect of partisanship, which, when measured, can lead to superior prediction and understanding of related political attitudes and behaviors.     

Social Crisis and Aboriginal Alcohol Abuse*

This article summarizes the major results of three studies into aboriginal alcohol abuse in and around Perth. The first study was based on in-depth interviews with thirty-one officers and members of sixteen Perth community organizations. In addition, a review of impressionistic arguments and research documents was also completed. This section also includes a structured interview with the thirty-one respondents. The second study examined the fringe dwellers' situation through interviews with four community workers and thirty-five camp inhabitants. The final study reported on interviews with a representative sample of fifty-three Perth whites to ascertain the nature of the ‘white backlash’. Overall the results support the predominant role of environmental alcohol abuse and the need for a long term, organic approach.     

More on Plagiarism in the Social Sciences*

This research presents the results of a follow‐up survey to journal editors more than a decade after Enders and Hoover (Journal of Economic Literature 42(3):487–93). The original survey asked editors about their definition of plagiarism and known cases. This work investigates what, if anything, has changed in regards to how journal editors react to suspected plagiarism and if the definition of plagiarism has changed. In addition to surveying editors of economics journals, we have surveyed many more editors, including political science, sociology, and others, to contrast differences that might exist. There is great variation within disciplines regarding the appropriate definition of plagiarism or punishments but fairly consistent agreement across disciplines.     

Environmental Vulnerability in Public Perceptions and Attitudes: The Case of Israel's Urban Centers

Objective. This article investigates how urban environmental vulnerability to hazards reflects in the perceptions and attitudes of the public in three major cities in Israel: Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa. Our central argument is that the differences between the residents' perceptions and attitudes toward environmental issues are related mostly to the actual hazard levels of their communities, whereas individual differences in socioeconomic characteristics are of lesser importance in this regard. Methods. The research was based on survey data of representative samples of the adult residents in the three cities. The differences in attitudes and perceptions among the three samples were statistically assessed by means of analysis of variance. Results. We found relatively strong and consistent relationships between actual environmental vulnerability to hazards in the three cities and their residents' attitudes toward environmental issues. The relationships with socioeconomic characteristics, such as education and income, were considerably weaker and less consistent. Conclusions. The results of this research indicate that environmental concern is not exclusive to groups and individuals characterized by postmaterialist values. Rather, the urban public in general is responsive to the environmental vulnerability of its community. This conclusion supports the argument that attitudes toward the environment are mainly affected by instrumental considerations of objective environmental problems rather than by subjective values.     

Disaster,Vulnerability, and Older Adults: Toward a Social Work Response

No abstract available for this article.