Moderating effects of respondent knowledge in public opinion research

Abstract

Surveying 288 residents (median age 46 yrs) of a small community where a nuclear power plant is under construction, this study examined the relationship of residents' knowledge about the installation and (a) acceptance of the nuclear plant and (b) perceived likelihood of potential effects of the plant. Results of standardized home interviews by local interviewers showed no differences between low- and high-knowledge groups in either acceptance of the plant or perceived likelihood of effects. However, as hypothesized, the correlations between acceptance and perceived likelihood of 3 groups of effects (social disruption, hazards, and economic benefit) were higher for Ss with high knowledge than for those with low knowledge. (7 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)