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To Be Authentic, to Be Eco: Exploring the Link Between Authenticity and Pro-environmental Behavior.
Ying Yang1,2,3, Shuhua Zhu4, Yulu Gan5
1Mental Health Education and Counseling Centre, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, China.
Frontiers in Psychology
|December 6, 2021
Summary
Being your authentic self promotes environmentally friendly actions. This research shows authenticity is linked to pro-environmental behavior and attitudes, encouraging actions that benefit the planet.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Environmental Science
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The concept of the authentic self is traditionally associated with moral goodness.
- Emerging research suggests a potential link between authenticity and positive environmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between authenticity and pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
- To determine if authenticity predicts pro-environmental behavior (PEB).
Main Methods:
- Study 1 utilized a large sample (N=2,646) to assess dispositional authenticity as a predictor of PEB.
- Study 2 involved participants (N=474) recalling authentic, inauthentic, or neutral experiences to measure environmental donation willingness and PEB intention.
Main Results:
- Authenticity was identified as a significant predictor of pro-environmental behavior (PEB).
- Participants in the authentic condition showed greater willingness to donate for environmental protection and higher intentions for PEB compared to inauthentic or neutral conditions.
Conclusions:
- Authenticity is positively associated with pro-environmental attitudes.
- Individuals are more inclined to engage in pro-environmental behaviors when they are being authentic.
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