[The relationship between the perceived threat of environmental problems and the formation of action intentions]

The results of a study using questionnaires at two measuring points in high schools in North Germany are reported and discussed. This article analyzes the students' reasons and motivation for more or less environmentally friendly behavior. An integrated theoretical concept of motivation for human action formed the theoretical basis. The action genesis process was subdivided into the phases of forming motives, intentions and volition. Following a presentation of this theoretical concept and its definition with regard to competing and compatible theoretical hypotheses, the methodological procedure is described whereby the various motivation structures of the pupils questioned were analyzed. Mixed distribution models were used which allow modelling of complex multivariate relationships (latent class analysis and mixed Rasch models). The results show strong positive relationships among the variables of the motivation, the intention and the volition phases, but with isolated area-specific motivation patterns and moderator effects of certain cognitive variables.