• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.701-721
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• 2007

A key issue in the development and application of stated preference nonmarket valuation is the incorporation of unobserved heterogeneity in utility models. Two approaches to this task have dominated. The first is to include individual-specific characteristics into the estimated indirect utility functions. These characteristics are usually socioeconomic or demographic variables. The second employs generalized models such as random parameter logit or probit models to allow model parameters to vary across individuals. This paper examines a third approach: the inclusion of psychological or 'latent' variables such as general attitudes and behaviour-specific attitudes to account for heterogeneity in models of stated preferences. Attitudinal indicators are used as explanatory variables and as segmentation criteria in a choice modelling application. Results show that both the model significance and parameter estimates are influenced by the inclusion of the latent variables, and that attitudinal variables are significant factors for WTP estimates.