Totemization of Wildlife and NIMBY Among U.S. College Students.

This study empirically examined the theories of totemization: those who totemize wildlife (i.e., who not only oppose killing of wildlife, but also become antipathetic toward those who support the killing) and NIMBY (notin-my-backyard syndrome)—those who are negatively affected by wildlife would support killing of and oppose protection of the wildlife—as probable explanations for controversies over killing (e.g., culling, hunting, harvesting) of wildlife. As a case study to examine the validity of the theories, a survey was conducted among U.S. college students in 14 institutions on their attitudes about whaling and whales. Consistent with the theories, the participants who totemized whales not only disapproved of whaling, but also were antipathetic toward whaling and whalers. Further, those who had more acquaintances in fisheries (and thus were more likely to be negatively affected by the protection of whales) disapproved of protection of whales rather than of fisheries. These findings confirm the validity of the theories of totemization and NIMBY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]