Abstract
Measures of sustainable behavior (SB) usually include the self-report of activities aimed at the conservation of the natural environment. The sustainability notion explicitly incorporates both the satisfaction of human needs and the need of conserving the natural environment. Yet, the assessment of sustainable behaviors rarely considers the protection of the social environment as situation to investigate. In this paper, we propose the use of an instrument assessing SB, which includes the report of pro-ecological and frugal actions in addition to altruistic and equitable behaviors. The responses provided by 807 Mexican undergraduates to a questionnaire investigating those four instances of SB were processed within a structural equation model. Emotional (indignation due to environmental destruction, affinity towards diversity, happiness) and rational (intention to act) factors assumedly linked to sustainable behavior were also investigated. Significant interrelations among pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic and equitable behaviors resulted, suggesting the presence of a higher-order-factor that we identified as SB. This factor, in turn, significantly correlated with the rest of the investigated pro-environmental factors.
Highlights
Conservation psychology (CP) is a particular area of psychology aimed at studying the behavioral causes and solutions of environmental problems
The pertinence of a sustainable-behavior higher-order factor composed of pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic, and equitable behaviors seems to be supported by our data
The assessment of practices intended at the protection of other individuals supplement the measurement of pro-ecological and frugal behaviors, providing congruence and inclusiveness to the sustainable behavior (SB) concept [1]
Summary
Conservation psychology (CP) is a particular area of psychology aimed at studying the behavioral causes and solutions of environmental problems. This field investigates interactions between human behavior and the socio-physical environment [1]. Gifford [2] assures that a wide sector of psychologists in the CP subfield acknowledge and accept the broader concept of sustainability as outlined in the Brundtland Report [3]. This is manifested in a growing interest in studying sustainability issues from a psychological perspective. Conservation psychology tries to determine the personal characteristics, aptitudes, and psychological benefits that predispose individuals towards a pro-sustainable lifestyle
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
