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Cultural evolution of normative motivations for sustainable behaviour

Author

Listed:
  • Taylor Davis

    (Department of Philosophy, Purdue University)

  • Erin P. Hennes

    (Department of Psychological Sciences, Purdue University)

  • Leigh Raymond

    (Department of Political Science, Purdue University)

Abstract

An emerging literature on the evolution of culture can offer new explanations for how norms encourage or obstruct sustainable practices. In particular, dual-inheritance theory describes how interactions between genetic and cultural evolution give rise, in part, to prosociality. Based on this theory, we identify the concept of normative motivation — internalized desires to follow and enforce norms. We discuss the utility of this concept in progressing two major research agendas across the social and behavioural sciences: the impact of motivation on cognition and normative behaviour, and the influence of norms on the policy process. Key contributions from considering norms from this evolutionary perspective include: (1) an improved model of the motivations that lead individuals to follow norms, (2) clarification of how and when incentives successfully generate motivations favouring sustainability and (3) new ideas for leveraging the influence of norms in public policy beyond financial incentives and education campaigns.

Suggested Citation

  • Taylor Davis & Erin P. Hennes & Leigh Raymond, 2018. "Cultural evolution of normative motivations for sustainable behaviour," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 1(5), pages 218-224, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:1:y:2018:i:5:d:10.1038_s41893-018-0061-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-018-0061-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Bhavya Rathna Kota & Luciana Debs & Taylor Davis, 2022. "Exploring Generation Z’s Perceptions of Green Homes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Vasiliki Kioupi & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2020. "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Assessing the Contribution of Higher Education Programmes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Carla Mingolla & Liselot Hudders & Veroline Cauberghe, 2020. "Framing Descriptive Norms as Self-Benefit Versus Environmental Benefit: Self-Construal’s Moderating Impact in Promoting Smart Energy Devices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-23, January.
    4. Hoffmann, Christin & Hoppe, Julia Amelie & Ziemann, Niklas, 2022. "Faster, harder, greener? Empirical evidence on the role of the individual Pace of Life for productivity and pro-environmental behavior," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    5. Pavel Kotlán & Alena Kozlová & Zuzana Machová, 2021. "Opening a Path towards Sustainable Corporate Behaviour: Public Participation in Criminal Environmental Proceedings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-18, July.
    6. Xixiang Sun & Ziyuan Tian & Jianguo Wang & Weihuan Su, 2022. "The Impact of Environmental Commitment on Green Purchase Behavior in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-17, July.
    7. Juana Castro & Stefan Drews & Filippos Exadaktylos & Joël Foramitti & Franziska Klein & Théo Konc & Ivan Savin & Jeroen van den Bergh, 2020. "A review of agent‐based modeling of climate‐energy policy," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), July.

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