Predicting Pro-Environmental Behavior: The Leading Influence of Environmental Attitudes
Velina Hristova1,2, Kaloyan Haralampiev3, Ivo Vlaev4
1Institute for Population and Human Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria.
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 28, 2025
Summary
Psychological factors like environmental attitudes and commitment strongly predict pro-environmental behaviors. Personality traits influence these actions differently across various contexts, such as general behaviors versus household chemical use.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Previous research often examined general ecological engagement.
- This study adopts a multidimensional approach to psychological determinants of pro-environmental behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological determinants of pro-environmental behaviors.
- To differentiate between general ecological behaviors, prosocial/volunteering actions, and household chemical usage.
- To integrate the roles of self-efficacy, personality traits, and environmental attitudes.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 669 participants completed measures.
- Assessed Big Five personality traits, self-efficacy, and environmental commitment dimensions.
- Employed regression analyses to identify predictors.
Main Results:
- Environmental attitudes were the strongest predictors of general ecological behavior.
- Actual commitment, self-efficacy, and extraversion were key in prosocial ecological engagement.
- Neuroticism and extraversion predicted household chemical usage.
Conclusions:
- The influence of personality traits on pro-environmental behavior is context-dependent.
- Fostering environmental commitment is crucial for sustained ecological behavior.
- Findings highlight the interplay between attitudes, commitment, self-efficacy, and personality in diverse ecological actions.
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