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Internal and External Factors' Influence on Recycling: Insights From a Laboratory Experiment With Observed Behavior
Noah Linder1, Sonny Rosenthal2, Patrik Sörqvist1
1Department of Building Engineering, Energy Systems and Sustainability Science, University of Gävle, Gävle, Sweden.
Frontiers in Psychology
|August 9, 2021
Summary
Environmental context significantly impacts recycling behavior, often more than personal intentions. Small environmental changes can align or override motivation, influencing pro-environmental actions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Sustainability Studies
Background:
- Pro-environmental behavior models often prioritize internal psychological factors like intentions and norms.
- The influence of the physical environment and its interaction with psychological factors on behavior is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relative influence of psychological and environmental factors on pro-environmental behavior.
- To examine the interaction between internal psychological factors and the physical context in decision-making.
Main Methods:
- A laboratory experiment involving 399 participants.
- Participants made a choice to dispose of a used plastic cup after a "yogurt taste test."
- The spatial positioning of recycling and general waste bins was manipulated.
Main Results:
- Bin placement explained over half the variance in recycling behavior, while intentions did not predict bin choice.
- Rinsing cups before recycling was linked to both intention and environmental factors.
- Minor changes in the choice context significantly affected behavior and its alignment with intentions.
Conclusions:
- The physical environment plays a critical role in shaping pro-environmental behavior, sometimes independently of personal motivation.
- Environmental design can be leveraged to promote desired behaviors and align actions with intentions.
- Future research should integrate environmental context into behavioral models for a more holistic understanding.
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