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Sample populations from 15 Intermountain West communities (representative of population, ethnic, and employment variety) were surveyed to test the following hypotheses: (1) there is a greater degree of consensus in rural than in non-rural communities; (2) there are differences between values in rural and non-rural communities; (3) a model incorporating a number of aspects of community structure, respondent background, and respondent linkages to the community can predict a respondent's value position. The values examined (via mail questionnaires) were: intellectualism; kindness; social skills; loyalty; academic achievement; physical development; value of status; honesty; value of religion; self-control; creativity; and independence. Results indicated: consensus concerning values was not generally higher in rural communities than in non-rural ones, with the possible exceptions of physical development and the value of religion; rural communities placed a higher value on the importance of loyalty, honesty, religion, and self-control, but the remaining 8 value dimensions did not exhibit such a relationship; the model was substantiated and explained to some degree failure of the data to support the other hypotheses, since the degree of rurality was directly related to only 3 of the 12 value dimensions. It was concluded that as rural communities become more diversified, the probability of identifying a rural value system will decrease. (JC)

Catastrophe theory may provide a possible model for describing and explaining the boom town phenomena at a generalized level; catastrophe models deal with phenomena in which changes in continuous independent variables lead to sudden, or abrupt, discontinuous changes in a dependent variable. Rural energy boom towns are the result of sudden, abrupt changes in rural communities and the changes can be regarded as catastrophe events. Catastrophe models can be used to explain and describe two of these events--the overall community change from a relatively stable rural community to a boom town, and the change in the integrative mechanisms in the community from informal to institutional. Used properly, with the appropriate phenomena, catastrophe models can be very beneficial in social impact assessment (SIA). Catastrophe models can bring some order and understanding to events that initially appear to be random or inexplicable by other models or theories, may force the search for independent variables that are related to the behavior observed (the catastrophe), and can point to areas or variables that need further research. The main drawback to using catastrophe models is that only a limited number of variables can be considered. (BRR)

Evaluates the hypothesis that boomtowns enter a period of generalized crisis and loss of traditional values/attitudes; considers impact of energy development on residents' involvement in/attachment to their community, and perceived quality of community services. Uses linear and systemic models on data from three intermountain communities (Colorado, Utah). (MH)