TY - JOUR
T1 - The malleability of environmentalism
AU - Wade-Benzoni, Kimberly A.
AU - Li, Min
AU - Thompson, Leigh L.
AU - Bazerman, Max H.
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - In this article, we predict and find that self-perceptions of environmentalism are changed by subtle manipulations of context and, in turn, affect environmental behavior. In Study 1, we found that people exhibit greater positive assessments of their environmental behaviors (1) in the context of denying harm to the environment than in the context of claiming to help the environment, and (2) in situations where behaviors are evaluated subjectively than in situations where behaviors are evaluated more objectively. In Study 2, we explored the relationship between self-perceptions of environmentalism and environmental behaviors. Our data suggest that environmentally friendly behaviors may be promoted by leading people to perceive themselves as good environmentalists.
AB - In this article, we predict and find that self-perceptions of environmentalism are changed by subtle manipulations of context and, in turn, affect environmental behavior. In Study 1, we found that people exhibit greater positive assessments of their environmental behaviors (1) in the context of denying harm to the environment than in the context of claiming to help the environment, and (2) in situations where behaviors are evaluated subjectively than in situations where behaviors are evaluated more objectively. In Study 2, we explored the relationship between self-perceptions of environmentalism and environmental behaviors. Our data suggest that environmentally friendly behaviors may be promoted by leading people to perceive themselves as good environmentalists.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=37249013403&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=37249013403&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1530-2415.2007.00129.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1530-2415.2007.00129.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:37249013403
SN - 1529-7489
VL - 7
SP - 163
EP - 189
JO - Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy
JF - Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy
IS - 1
ER -