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Stepping Outside the Self Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Chenxuan Hou

    (Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Management, 92 West Dazhi Street, Nan Gang District, Harbin 150001, China)

  • Emine Sarigöllü

    (Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, 1001 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3A 1G5, Canada)

  • Myung-Soo Jo

    (Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, 1001 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3A 1G5, Canada)

  • Dapeng Liang

    (Harbin Institute of Technology, School of Management, 92 West Dazhi Street, Nan Gang District, Harbin 150001, China)

Abstract

Although different self-perspectives can prompt different mindsets, leading to different responses, little is known about how self-perspective impacts pro-environmental behaviors. This study explores the effect of self-perspective, i.e., either self-immersed or self-distanced perspective, on environmental attitudes and behavior. Based on an online survey of 409 respondents in the United States, we find that pro-environmental behaviors are perceived as more important and less costly from a self-distanced perspective, compared to a self-immersed one, which in turn facilitates more engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. Furthermore, a self-distanced perspective is more prevalent than a self-immersed perspective when individuals are less satisfied with and perceive less control over their pro-environmental behaviors. This study extends the self-perspective theory to research on pro-environmental behaviors, and offers useful implications for individuals to address conflicts between environmental and self-interested considerations, as well as for public policy makers and practitioners to promote more engagement in pro-environmental behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Chenxuan Hou & Emine Sarigöllü & Myung-Soo Jo & Dapeng Liang, 2018. "Stepping Outside the Self Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3128-:d:167284
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    References listed on IDEAS

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