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Anthropomorphism of Nature, Environmental Guilt, and Pro-Environmental Behavior

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  • Kim-Pong Tam

    (Division of Social Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

Feeling guilty about the occurrence of environmental problems is not uncommon; however, not everyone experiences it. Why are there such individual differences? Considering that guilt is a predominantly interpersonal phenomenon, as emotion research has demonstrated, how is it possible that some individuals feel guilty for the degradation of the non-human environment, and some others do not? The present investigation tests an integrated solution to these two questions based on the concept of anthropomorphism. In three studies, with an individual difference approach, it was observed that anthropomorphism of nature predicted the experience of environmental guilt, and this feeling in turn was associated with engagement in pro-environmental behavior. That is, it appears that individuals who view nature in anthropomorphic terms are more likely to feel guilty for environmental degradation, and they take more steps toward environmental action. This observation not only improves existing understanding of environmental guilt, but also adds evidence to the theoretical possibility of describing and understanding the human–nature relationship with reference to psychological knowledge regarding interpersonal relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim-Pong Tam, 2019. "Anthropomorphism of Nature, Environmental Guilt, and Pro-Environmental Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:19:p:5430-:d:272404
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sara Kim & Ann L. McGill, 2011. "Gaming with Mr. Slot or Gaming the Slot Machine? Power, Anthropomorphism, and Risk Perception," Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of Consumer Research Inc., vol. 38(1), pages 94-107.
    2. Paolo Antonetti & Stan Maklan, 2014. "Feelings that Make a Difference: How Guilt and Pride Convince Consumers of the Effectiveness of Sustainable Consumption Choices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 124(1), pages 117-134, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Pasca, 2022. "Pride and guilt as mediators in the relationship between connection to nature and pro-environmental intention," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 175(1), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Marina Ienna & Amelia Rofe & Monica Gendi & Heather E. Douglas & Michelle Kelly & Matthew W. Hayward & Alex Callen & Kaya Klop-Toker & Robert J. Scanlon & Lachlan G. Howell & Andrea S. Griffin, 2022. "The Relative Role of Knowledge and Empathy in Predicting Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Rayma Ireri Maldonado Astudillo & Yan Pallac Maldonado Astudillo & Juan Alfonso Méndez Zavala & Claudia Leticia Manzano Jiménez & María Xochitl Astudillo Miller, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Proenvironmental Behaviour in Employees: Evidence in Acapulco, Mexico," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Chao Wang & Qiuqin Zheng & Haimei Zeng & Riwen Lai & Anxin Xu, 2023. "Can Anthropomorphic Slogans Awaken Tourists’ Environmental Responsibility Behavior? Experimental Study Based on Frame Effect Perspective," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440221, January.
    5. Malgorzata Karpinska-Krakowiak & Lukasz Skowron & Lachezar Ivanov, 2020. "“I Will Start Saving Natural Resources, Only When You Show Me the Planet as a Person in Danger”: The Effects of Message Framing and Anthropomorphism on Pro-Environmental Behaviors that are Viewed as E," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-14, July.
    6. Yiping Yang & Le Sun & Buxin Han & Pingping Liu, 2023. "The Trajectory of Anthropomorphism and Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Serial Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-19, January.
    7. Jing Shao & Asif Mahmood & Heesup Han, 2021. "Unleashing the Potential Role of CSR and Altruistic Values to Foster Pro-Environmental Behavior by Hotel Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-16, December.
    8. Jose Luis Gomez-Melara & Rufino Acosta-Naranjo & Patricia Izar & Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah & Jordi Pladevall & Risma Illa Maulany & Putu Oka Ngakan & Bonaventura Majolo & Teresa Romero & Federica Amici, 2021. "A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Link between Modernization, Anthropomorphism and Attitude to Wildlife," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-16, November.

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