Engaging in Pro-Environment Travel Behaviour Research from a Psycho-Social Perspective: A Review of Behavioural Variables and Theories

Cristina Pronello,Jean-Baptiste Gaborieau

doi:10.3390/su10072412

Abstract

This paper aims to review variables and behavioural theories originating from social and environmental psychology as applied to transport research, to better understand decision-making mechanisms, information processing and modal choice. The first section provides an overview of the main psycho-social variables which explain behaviour and, notably, pro-environment behaviour. The analysis shows the relations among variables, highlighting some potential cause-effect mechanism or, at least, the influence that such variables can have on behaviour. Furthermore, the strengths and weaknesses of using psycho-social variables to predict travel behaviour are discussed. Such analysis feeds the section related to the behavioural theories. These are reviewed with a focus on potential application to transport sector, showing the would-be added value of introducing a socio-psychological approach in the current vision, focused on stochastic models based on maximisation of personal utility. To this end, attention is paid to the data collection and analysis, basic for any models and even more challenging to collect when they deal with personal characteristics of individuals. Finally, the concept of attitude and intention is discussed, opening the doors between disciplines to overcome the attitude-behaviour gap.

Highlights

Transport is known to be the second source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the sector which relies the most heavily on petrol consumption worldwide [1]
Human beings are complex and too many variables interact in their choice processes; they are social beings and this fact cannot be ignored when trying to predict their choices when related to their travels
Their trips characterise them as social beings or as individuals and the choice of transport mode, for example the car, can enhance their individualistic side while public transport puts them in relation with others, confronts them with others and induces comparative self-assessment

Summary

Introduction

Transport is known to be the second source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and the sector which relies the most heavily on petrol consumption worldwide [1]. The first objective is understanding the determinants of travel behaviour, starting from the psycho-social variables that are considered key in the decision-making mechanism of individuals when choosing a transport mode. To this end, attention is paid to the variables which quantitatively explain behaviour and, notably, pro-environment behaviour (Section 2) and these are analysed in terms of their reciprocal relations and how they potentially influence the behaviour, showing the strengths and weaknesses of their use in transport sector

Objectives

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion