Korver, Jeremia Nathaniël (2025) The Motivating Effects of Reasons, in a Pro-Environmental Behavior Context. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
This study explores whether cognitive support (explicit reasoning) for biospheric values enhances pro-environmental behavior and whether agreeableness moderates this effect. This is a replication study based on Maio et al., (2010), in which they tested cognitive support for prosocial values and helpfulness. We hypothesized that participants who generate reasons for biospheric values would engage more in pro-environmental behavior than participants who rate their feelings about these values. We also expected that individuals who score higher in the personality trait agreeableness would respond more strongly to cognitive support, given its association with self-transcendent values. 72 participants were randomly assigned to an experimental condition (reasons salient) or control condition (value salient), and pro- environmental behavior was measured through donated time for a simulated litter-picking event. Results showed no significant difference between these conditions, and agreeableness was no moderator in this relationship. These findings suggest that generating reasons for biospheric values may not be enough to encourage action-taking. This highlights the complexity of translating biospheric values into pro-environmental behavior. Future research should explore additional mechanisms to better understand how to translate environmental values into meaningful, sustained action.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Sharpe, E.J. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route/Track: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 25 Feb 2025 10:54 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Feb 2025 10:54 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4711 |
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