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Personality profiles of environmentally responsible groups.
N V Ramanaiah1, M Clump, J P Sharpe
1Department of Psychology, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 62901-6502, USA. rama@siu.edu
Psychological Reports
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Individuals scoring high or low on environmental responsibility exhibit distinct personality traits. Openness and Agreeableness significantly differentiate these groups, suggesting a link between personality and ecological attitudes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Personality Psychology
Background:
- Understanding the psychological underpinnings of environmental responsibility is crucial for promoting pro-environmental behaviors.
- Previous research suggests personality traits may influence environmental attitudes and actions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether individuals with high and low levels of environmental responsibility differ in their personality profiles.
- To identify specific personality traits associated with environmental responsibility.
Main Methods:
- Utilized discriminant function analysis on data from 319 undergraduate psychology students.
- Administered the ECOSCALE to measure environmental responsibility and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory to assess personality traits.
Main Results:
- The analysis supported the hypothesis, revealing significant differences in personality profiles between high and low environmental responsibility groups.
- Openness (standard discriminant function coefficient = .72) and Agreeableness (standard discriminant function coefficient = .50) were substantial predictors.
Conclusions:
- Personality traits, particularly Openness and Agreeableness, are significantly associated with levels of environmental responsibility.
- These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the psychological factors influencing environmental engagement.