The malleability of environmentalism
In this article, we predict and find that self-perceptions of environmentalism are changed by subtle manipulations of context and, in turn, affect environmental behavior. In Study 1, we found that people exhibit greater positive assessments of their environmental behaviors (1) in the context of denying harm to the environment than in the context of claiming to help the environment, and (2) in situations where behaviors are evaluated subjectively than in situations where behaviors are evaluated more objectively. In Study 2, we explored the relationship between self-perceptions of environmentalism and environmental behaviors. Our data suggest that environmentally friendly behaviors may be promoted by leading people to perceive themselves as good environmentalists. © 2007 The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues.
Duke Scholars
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Related Subject Headings
- Social Psychology
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
- 4407 Policy and administration
- 1701 Psychology
- 1608 Sociology
- 1605 Policy and Administration
Citation
Published In
DOI
EISSN
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Related Subject Headings
- Social Psychology
- 5205 Social and personality psychology
- 4407 Policy and administration
- 1701 Psychology
- 1608 Sociology
- 1605 Policy and Administration