Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Geography & Environmental Studies

Faculty/School

Faculty of Arts

First Advisor

Robert Sharpe

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

This study investigates the underlying dimensions of public attitudes toward the impact of the Bruce Nuclear Power Development planned workforce increase on Kincardine, Ontario. Kincardine, a small rural community of approximately 5900 inhabitants (Statistics Canada, 1986), is located in the southwestern portion of Bruce County. Much of the current landscape, demographic composition, and industrial structure can directly be attributed to the locality’s function as a residential nucleation for the Bruce Nuclear Power Development workforce and their families (Hecht and Sharpe, 1990; Chalk, 1990). Two propositions form the basis for this study of community response. The first states that the underlying dimensions of public attitudes toward the Bruce Nuclear Power Development planned workforce increase can be grouped on the basis of interrelated belief structures. Second, that different social sub-groups of the local population will disagree over the potential “benefits” and “costs” stemming from, or associated with, the workforce increase. To investigate the two propositions, a survey questionnaire was designed and administered to a heterogeneous group of approximately 200 permanent residents. The individual questions followed a similar structure to Fishbein’s model of attitude formation or expectancy-value model evident in decision making literature (Woo and Castore, 1980).

Convocation Year

1992

Convocation Season

Spring

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