Stradmeijer, Davide (2023) Increasing Individual Engagement in Pro-Environmental Behaviour: The Influence of Groups on Behavioural Spillover Effects. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
Individuals must immediately increase their engagement in multiple pro-environmental behaviours to mediate the detrimental effects of human induced rising temperatures. Therefore, it is important to acquire a deeper understanding of the influence of previous environmental behaviour on subsequent environmental behaviour. This study examined whether past pro-environmental behaviour positively or negatively related to future pro-environmental action (i.e. if sustainable engagement leads to positive or negative behavioural spillover). Previous literature identified environmental identity as a crucial element promoting environmental behavioural spillover into positive direction. Individuals derive an environmental self-identity from observing their own past behaviour, and from their affiliation with social groups that prioritise environmental well-being. Therefore, by implementing Social Identity Theory, this study additionally examined the potentially greater influence of group behaviour on future pro-environmental behaviours compared to the influence of individual behaviour. Data from hundred and twenty eight participants were used to conduct an online questionnaire study. In the individual condition, as well as the group condition, past pro-environmental behaviour positively spills over to future pro-environmental behaviour. However, we find no indication of groups being more influential on positive behavioural spillover within the environmental domain compared to individuals themselves. Interventions to promote sustainable behaviour should therefore remain focused on appealing to individuals on both an individual, and a group level. Keywords: Pro-environmental behaviour, behavioural spillover effects, Social Identity Theory, environmental self-identity
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Sharpe, E.J. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 01 Mar 2024 09:29 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Mar 2024 09:29 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3174 |
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