The Myth that War is Intrinsic to Human Nature Discourages Action for Peace by Young People
Table V. Relationship of Belief to Attitude and Activity in Three Studies Page 10

Do you believe war is intrinsic to human nature? Do you think that you personally can do anything about nuclear war? Are you engaged in activity for peace?




Finland YES   NO**
1984
(Wahlstrom)
No
Don't Know
Yes
35          60
13          50
48        121
  95    (29%)
  63    (19%)
169    (52%)
96         231
29%     71%
X²=4.2
p<.02**


USA (Wesleyan) YES   NO** YES     NO
1985
(Bosch and Adams)
No
Don't Know
Yes
12           9
 2            9
 5          20
21      (37%)
11      (19%)
25      (44%)
 9          12
 3            9
 3          24
21      (35%)
12      (20%)
27      (45%)
19         38
33%     67%
X²=6.3
p<.01**
15         45
25%     75%
X²=4.8
p<.02**


USA (Wesleyan) MUCH*
       LITTLE**
Activity score
≥8         ≤7
1986
(Bosch and Adams)
(this study)
No/Little
Somewhat
Very much
30         24
 9          20
 6            7
54      (56%)
29      (30%)
13      (14%)
30         24
13         16
  1         12
54      (56%)
29      (30%)
13      (14%)
45         51
47%     53%
X²=3.6
p<.05**
44         52
46%     54%
X²=9.3
p<.001**

* Totals include both Very much and Somewhat

** Totals include both No and Don't know in the cases of Finland and Wesleyan (1985) and both Little and Not at all in the case of Wesleyan (1986)

***Probabilities are one-tailed because they are in the predicted direction

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