Explanation of environmental crimes in Fereydunkenar using the value-belief-norm model

Mirmohamadtabar, Seyyed Ahmad; Sohrabi, Maryam

doi:10.22034/jsi.2026.2106651.1866

Explanation of environmental crimes in Fereydunkenar using the value-belief-norm model

Articles in Press

Authors

Seyyed Ahmad Mirmohamadtabar ¹

Maryam Sohrabi ²

¹ Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, Arak University, Arak, Iran

² PhD in Sociology, Lecturer, Department of Sociology, Arak University

https://doi.org/10.22034/jsi.2026.2106651.1866

Abstract

Fereydunkenar County, as one of the most important wetland habitats and migratory bird routes, has long faced widespread illegal hunting. The present study aimed to explain illegal bird hunting in this county based on the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) theory. The research method was a survey, and the data collection tool was a questionnaire. The statistical population consisted of individuals over 15 years of age in the urban areas of Fereydunkenar. Using Cochran’s formula and stratified sampling, a sample of 403 respondents was selected. The findings revealed that environmental values had a positive but weak effect on beliefs (β = 0.14), beliefs had a positive and moderate effect on personal norms (β = 0.32), and personal norms had a strong negative effect on illegal bird hunting (β = -0.50). The independent variables explained approximately 25% of the variance in illegal hunting.

Keywords

Environmental crimes

Illegal bird hunting

Value-Belief-Norm theory

Fereydunkenar

Personal norms

Subjects