Valuation of aesthetic preferences

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Environ. Econ. Manage.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0095-0696(76)90004-8· OSTI ID:7313509

Brookshire, D S ^[1]; Ives, B C; Schulze, W D

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1. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie

Quantitative estimates of the social costs and benefits that different uses of the environment offer are explored in a bidding game experiment that was used to estimate esthetic damages from the proposed Kaiparowits power plant near Lake Powell. A questionnaire was designed to focus on environmental quality in terms of the respondent's experience with area recreational opportunities and the impact power plant construction would have on those opportunities. The interviews separated respondents into four groups: residents, visitors at motels and passersby, visitors at developed area campgrounds, and visitors at more remote campgrounds. Bidding was conducted to determine how much respondents were willing to pay in order to avoid pollution. Three problems complicated interpretation of the responses: (1) incentives for individual bias in order to demonstrate preferences, although an absence of observed bias may only reflect the feeling of respondents that the question is hypothetical and nothing will actually happen; (2) the potential difference between equivalent and compensation variation, which is further complicated by residents making strong initial stands and caring less as the esthetic impact progresses; and (3) interpersonal comparisons in the aggregation of individual bids to check the sensitivity of individual income distribution with the aggregate welfare.Recommendations for future studies urge that different samples of respondents be confronted with different kinds of incentives in order to reveal possible bias. 10 references. (DCK)

• OSTI ID: 7313509
• Journal Information: J. Environ. Econ. Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Environ. Econ. Manage.; (United States) Vol. 3:4; ISSN JEEMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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