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Environmental Aesthetic Value Influences the Intention for Moral Behavior: Changes in Behavioral Moral Judgment

Author

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  • Chenjing Wu

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

  • Xianyou He

    (School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
    Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China)

Abstract

The environment affects moral behavior. Previous research found that a beautiful environment leads to pro-social behavior, which is related to behavioral intention. However, the effect of environmental aesthetic value on immoral and moral behavior remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we explored the effect of environmental aesthetic value on behavioral intention and its possible mechanisms. We conducted four experiments. Experiment 1 adopted the priming paradigm and IAT paradigm to explore the relationship between environmental aesthetic value and behavioral intention. It used photographs of the environment as priming stimuli and scene drawings of behavior as target stimuli. The results showed that participants had a higher intention to engage in moral behavior in an environment with a high aesthetic value, and a lower intention to engage in immoral behavior, compared to in an environment with a low aesthetic value. Similarly, an environment with a low aesthetic value was related to immoral behavior. Experiment 2 further explored the possible mechanism for the above results: changes in moral judgment. The results showed that moral judgment in different environments may lead to different behavioral intentions. The current study extends prior research by demonstrating the effect of environmental aesthetic value on behavioral intention and moral judgment, and good knowledge about the relationship between environmental aesthetic value and moral behavior. In addition, it provides a new hypothesis for the relationship between environment and behavior according to the results of the environment–behavior matching hypothesis, which can provide a new perspective on moral education.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenjing Wu & Xianyou He, 2021. "Environmental Aesthetic Value Influences the Intention for Moral Behavior: Changes in Behavioral Moral Judgment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:12:p:6477-:d:575409
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Rustichini, Aldo & Villeval, Marie Claire, 2014. "Moral hypocrisy, power and social preferences," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 107(PA), pages 10-24.
    3. Kahn, Barbara E & Isen, Alice M, 1993. "The Influence of Positive Affect on Variety Seeking among Safe, Enjoyable Products," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 20(2), pages 257-270, September.
    4. Hongxia Li & Xue Wang & Yafei Guo & Zhansheng Chen & Fei Teng, 2019. "Air Pollution Predicts Harsh Moral Judgment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, June.
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    1. Yanfei Zhu & Yuli Wang & Ying Li & Xiaoxi Du & Qi Guo & Mo Chen & Yun Lin, 2022. "The Construction of Image Reference Points and Text Appeals Information Tailoring in Promoting Diners’ Public Environment Maintenance Behavior Intention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Xiaojia Liu & Xi Chen & Yan Huang & Weihong Wang & Mingkan Zhang & Yang Jin, 2023. "Landscape Aesthetic Value of Waterfront Green Space Based on Space–Psychology–Behavior Dimension: A Case Study along Qiantang River (Hangzhou Section)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-22, February.
    3. Huie Li & Chang You & Jin Li & Mei Li & Min Tan & Guanfei Zhang & Yiping Zhong, 2022. "Influence of Environmental Aesthetic Value and Anticipated Emotion on Pro-Environmental Behavior: An ERP Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Chenjing Wu & Fuqun Liang & Xiaoling Liang & Chuangbing Huang & Hua Wang & Xianyou He & Wei Zhang & Don Rojas & Yan Duan, 2021. "Spacious Environments Make Us Tolerant—The Role of Emotion and Metaphor," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-17, October.

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