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From Awe to Ecological Behavior: The Mediating Role of Connectedness to Nature

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  • Yan Yang

    (School of Sports Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Jing Hu

    (School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Fengjie Jing

    (School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

  • Bang Nguyen

    (School of Business, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China)

Abstract

Awe is a self-transcendent emotion that can diminish one’s focus on the self and serves as an important motivator of commitment to social collectives. However, the influence of awe on ecological behavior is not clear. This study examines the relationships between people’s feeling of awe, their connectedness to nature, and ecological behavior. Three experiments tested the effect of awe on ecological behaviors including mediation tests. Compared with participants in the control condition, participants in the awe condition were more inclined to behave ecologically (Study 1 and 2) and reported a higher feeling of connectedness to nature (Study 2). Moreover, the relationship between awe and ecological behavior was mediated by connectedness to nature (Study 3). These findings indicate that awe helps broaden the self-concept by including nature and increase connectedness to nature, which in turn lead to ecological behavior. They also highlight the significance of connectedness in explaining why awe increases ecological behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Yan Yang & Jing Hu & Fengjie Jing & Bang Nguyen, 2018. "From Awe to Ecological Behavior: The Mediating Role of Connectedness to Nature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:7:p:2477-:d:158149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dong Lu & Yide Liu & Ivan Lai & Li Yang, 2017. "Awe: An Important Emotional Experience in Sustainable Tourism," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Thomas Beery & K. Ingemar Jönsson & Johan Elmberg, 2015. "From Environmental Connectedness to Sustainable Futures: Topophilia and Human Affiliation with Nature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-18, July.
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    5. Rudd, Melanie & Vohs, Kathleen D. & Aaker, Jennifer, 2012. "Awe Expands People's Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being," Research Papers 2095, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Lauren E. Ambrose & Adi Wiezel & Erika B. Pages & Michelle N. Shiota, 2021. "Images of Nature, Nature-Self Representation, and Environmental Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-9, July.
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    6. Yang, Yan & Hu, Jing, 2021. "Self-diminishing effects of awe on consumer forgiveness in service encounters," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    7. Nanjangud Vishwanath Vighnesh & Patil Balachandra & Deepak Chandrashekar & Sukanlaya Sawang, 2023. "How cultural values influence sustainable consumption behavior? An empirical investigation in a non‐Western context," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 990-1007, April.
    8. Jianbin Zhao & Zheng Li & Guobao Xiong, 2022. "Triggers and Consequences of Awe in Online Brand Community," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    9. Xixiang Sun & Weihuan Su & Xiaodong Guo & Ziyuan Tian, 2021. "The Impact of Awe Induced by COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Consumption Behavior in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.

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