Consequences of Sisyphean Efforts: Meaningless Effort Decreases Motivation to Engage in Subsequent Conservation Behaviors through Disappointment

Katarzyna Byrka,Dariusz Dolinski,Katarzyna Cantarero,Wijnand Van Tilburg

doi:10.3390/su13105716

Katarzyna Byrka, Dariusz Dolinski + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105716

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Abstract

This paper explores the consequences of engaging in conservation efforts that later appear purposeless. Specifically, we tested the model in which disappointment lays at the root of decreased motivation in such situations. In Studies 1 and 2, participants (n = 239 and n = 283) imagined that they had recycled plastic bottles for a week and that an assistant had collected their garbage in either separate bags (meaningful condition) or only one bag (meaningless condition). Half of participants imagined that they had put plastic bags and screw caps into separate containers (low-effort condition), the other half imagined that they had torn off the label bands (high-effort condition). In Study 3, a longitudinal field experiment, participants (n = 286) took part in a real situation that followed the procedure from Studies 1 and 2. Altogether, we confirmed the moderating effect of effort on relationship between meaninglessness and motivation through experienced disappointment. We discuss consequences of efforts wasted for beliefs, intentions and behaviors affording sustainable solutions.

Highlights

This research was inspired by real-life observations and media coverage
The effect of the meaningfulness of the task on disappointment was significantly moderated by effort (β = −0.12, t = −2.16, p = 0.032, 95%CI = −0.22, −0.01)
The perceived meaningfulness of the task was a predictor of intention to engage in other conservation behaviors at t2, and experienced disappointment was tested as a mediator

Summary

Introduction

Local press has been reporting situations of sanitation workers commingling already recycled garbage with refuse and putting everything together into one truck often due to structural shortcomings (see, e.g., Philadelphia Inquirer [1], Toronto CBS [2] or Gazeta Wyborcza Lodz [3]). Individuals who witnessed garbage put altogether despite being previously sorted out question the sense of recycling and report to be discouraged [2]. We expect that conservation endeavors that appear meaningless have affective and motivational consequences that are detrimental for people’s future engagement and participation in sustainable activities. The objective of this research is to scrutinize systematically situations in which conservation efforts become Sisyphean efforts. According to Greek mythology, Sisyphus—the dishonest king of Ephyra—recurrently engaged in meaningless behavior.

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