Perspective taking, energy policy involvement, and public acceptance of nuclear energy: Evidence from China

Understanding the determinants of public acceptance is important for nuclear energy development. In the present study, we aim to explore the effects of perspective taking and energy policy involvement on public acceptance of nuclear energy. Following the motivated information processing theory, the current research proposes that perspective taking influences energy policy involvement, which in turn affects trust in government, risk perception, benefit perception, and ultimately influences public acceptance of nuclear energy. Based on an online questionnaire survey (valid samples were 933) conducted in China, results showed that perspective taking was positively and significantly related to energy policy involvement. Energy policy involvement was positively and significantly related to trust in government and benefit perception, while negatively and significantly related to risk perception. Trust in government and benefit perception were positively, while risk perception negatively and significantly related to public acceptance of nuclear energy. Theoretical and policy implications were discussed on the basis of these findings.