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Perceived economic inequality inhibits pro-environmental engagement
Rongmian Huo1, Shasha Yang2, Cai Dong3
1College of Humanities and Foreign Languages, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China.
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|October 25, 2024
Summary
Perceived economic inequality reduces pro-environmental actions by weakening national identification. This study explores how societal divisions impact environmental engagement and national unity.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Environmental Studies
- Sociology
Background:
- Increasing economic inequality is a defining feature of the current era.
- Understanding its impact on individual behavior is crucial for addressing societal challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of perceived economic inequality on pro-environmental engagement.
- To identify the psychological mechanisms underlying this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Utilized three empirical studies: archival analysis, online survey, and in-lab experiment.
- Included a meta-analysis to assess the robustness of findings.
- Examined pro-environmental intentions and behaviors.
Main Results:
- Consistently found that perceived economic inequality inhibits pro-environmental engagement.
- National identification mediated this effect, with inequality reducing concern for national well-being and shared destiny.
- Meta-analysis confirmed small to moderate effect sizes for key findings.
Conclusions:
- Perceived economic inequality negatively impacts individual pro-environmental involvement.
- National identification serves as a critical link, explaining how inequality affects environmental engagement.
- Findings have implications for both theory and practical interventions.
Keywords:
national identificationperceived economic inequalitypro‐environmental engagementsocial identityMore Related Videos
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