Klimaschutz und Verkehrsmittelwahl - Eine Anwendung der Theorie mentaler Inkongruenzen

A three wave panel survey among car users and users of public transport was conducted in Berlin and Brandenburg (N=180) in order to examine the choice of means of transportation in varying infrastructural contexts. Mental Incongruence Theory predicts five possible reactions provided that, amongst others, a primary standard (e.g. climate protection) and a primary cognition (e.g. evaluation of ones own pollution of the environment) are controversial. Assumptions concerning behavior change as a method of incongruence reduction ' in this case defaulting car use ' were confirmed. The less secondary disadvantages (e.g. punctuality), the better local infrastructure and the less friends and colleagues use cars, the higher the probability of mental incongruent car users of changing to public transport. Additionally Cultural Theory of risk was reviewed in relation to Mental Incongruence Theory whereas political measures of car use and environmental protection were explored. Expected patterns of affirmation depending on ways of life were found.