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A Scientific Discussion of Post-Materialism Values and Environmental Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Ted Peterson

    (Information Technology and Decision Sciences Department, Ryan College of Business, University of North Texas, 1307 W Highland St, Denton, TX 76201, USA)

  • Kacey Tollefson

    (School of Business, University of Utah, 201 Presidents’ Cir, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

Abstract

Inglehart developed a theory examining the changes of values in post-industrial societies from materialist towards post-materialist views. Inglehart contended that the rise of post-materialism helps explain the rise of environmentalism since the 1960s. Through a 2022 survey targeting individual utility customers, we employed Inglehart’s post-materialist index examining the impact of environmental behavior and other attributes. This study considers demographic profiling for material and post-materialist views in light of recent social movements and inflationary pressures. We observed that materialists, predominately Asians and Whites, tend to be older, are homeowners, are either married or widowed, and have lived in their homes the longest. Post-materialists were also found to be young, partnered, politically liberal, and least likely to be Asian. While investigated, environmental behavior was not explained by any of the demographic characteristics. We suggest research assessing any value shifts pertaining to attitudes and behaviors towards environmental behavior. Future research should obtain a more representative minority-group sample.

Suggested Citation

  • Ted Peterson & Kacey Tollefson, 2024. "A Scientific Discussion of Post-Materialism Values and Environmental Behavior," Businesses, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-24, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jbusin:v:4:y:2024:i:3:p:22-370:d:1455647
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Inglehart, Ronald & Flanagan, Scott C., 1987. "Value Change in Industrial Societies," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 81(4), pages 1289-1319, December.
    2. Israel Drori & Ephraim Yuchtman‐Yaar, 2002. "Environmental Vulnerability in Public Perceptions and Attitudes: The Case of Israel's Urban Centers," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 83(1), pages 53-63, March.
    3. Clarke, Harold D. & Dutt, Nitish, 1991. "Measuring Value Change in Western Industrialized Societies: The Impact of Unemployment," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 85(3), pages 905-920, September.
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