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A vested interest approach to the understanding of agriculture and environmental attitudes in the state of Ohio

Karim-Sesay, Peter Abdul
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1101845103

Abstract Details

2004, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology.
The current diversity in the rural population of America creates problems for the proper interpretation of attitudes towards agriculture and related environmental issues. Most previous sociological studies of perceptions or attitudes about agriculture and the environment have been largely descriptive and have attempted to distinguish varying perceptions based on rural and urban residence alone. No major studies have attempted to examine the place of vested interest and social distance in understanding these attitudes. This dissertation goes beyond mere descriptive analysis of empirical data, by evoking the middle-range conception of Robert K. Merton, which incorporates both a theoretical dialogue and empirical evidence to analyze varying attitudes about agriculture and related environmental issues. Based on a vested interest approach, this study draws from functionalist and conflict theories as well as rational choice and exchange theory. The data used in this study is derived from a 2002 statewide survey of 4031 Ohio households. The results of this study suggest that residence, social connections and social activities play an important role in the formation of perceptions and attitudes about agriculture and related environmental issues. In this study, age and social activities are the strongest predictors of vested interest. However, although the statistical results have not explained great proportions of variance, the study provides a framework for further studies based on a vested interest approach. There is a need for further exploration of the concepts involved in vested interest. Future studies might benefit from incorporating general values orientation such as agrarianism and consumerism, in order to restore the role of consumption in agricultural production.
William Flinn (Advisor)
128 p.
Agricultural attitudes; Environmental attitudes; Vested interest; Social distance; Middle-range theory; Social activities

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Karim-Sesay, P. A. (2004). A vested interest approach to the understanding of agriculture and environmental attitudes in the state of Ohio [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1101845103

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Karim-Sesay, Peter. A vested interest approach to the understanding of agriculture and environmental attitudes in the state of Ohio. 2004. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1101845103.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Karim-Sesay, Peter. "A vested interest approach to the understanding of agriculture and environmental attitudes in the state of Ohio." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1101845103

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1101845103
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© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.