A Motivating Opposition: The Influence of Outgroups on Biospheric Ingroup Values and Pro-environmental Behavior

Begovic, Mark Alexander (2023) A Motivating Opposition: The Influence of Outgroups on Biospheric Ingroup Values and Pro-environmental Behavior. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Research established that the biospheric values (representing a concern for nature and environmental problems) of an individual or ingroup can both lead to pro-environmental behavior. Yet, little is known about how the presence of an outgroup can influence this effect. To investigate this, this study tests if the exposure to an environmentally destructive outgroup can facilitate the influence of biospheric ingroup values on pro-environmental behavior. It is hypothesized that stronger perceived biospheric ingroup values lead to more pro-environmental behavior (H1), and that this is moderated by the identification with the ingroup (H2). Furthermore, the exposure to an environmentally destructive outgroup should lead to higher ingroup identification (H3a), and higher perceived biospheric ingroup values (H3b), and with that to more pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, it is explored if a powerful outgroup can alter the hypothesized effect. The participants (n = 83) consisted of young people who filled out an online questionnaire that exposed them to either no outgroup, an environmentally destructive outgroup, or an environmentally destructive and powerful outgroup. Results did not find evidence for H1 and H2, but instead showed a direct effect of ingroup identification on pro-environmental behavior. Additionally, there was no difference in pro-environmental behavior between the outgroup vs. no outgroup conditions for H3a and H3b, and no difference between the outgroup and powerful outgroup condition for the exploratory analysis. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed, and it is concluded that more research is necessary to fully understand if and under what conditions an exposing outgroup can facilitate pro-environmental behavior. Keywords: Biospheric values, Group values, Identification, Intergroup comparison, Pro-environmental behavior

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Bouman, T.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Environmental Psychology (EP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	01 Sep 2023 09:44
Last Modified:	01 Sep 2023 09:44
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2850

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