Abstract
Research literature about the environmental spillover effect produced mixed results, revealing that an initial pro-environmental behavior (PEB) is likely to promote either other PEBs (i.e., positive spillover) or pro-environmental inactions and harming behaviors (i.e., negative spillover). Such inconsistency suggests a possible crucial role of moderating variables. In two experimental studies (N Study 1 = 141, N Study 2 = 124), we investigated whether the recall of past environmental behavior (water-saving vs. water-wasting) affects future intention to perform PEBs (Study 1) and actual PEBs (Study 2), depending on participants’ cognitive mindset (manipulated in Study 1 and measured in Study 2). Results showed that the cognitive mindset is a significant moderator of spillover effects. Compared to a holistic one, an analytical mindset is more likely to result in a greater willingness to engage in future PEBs (Study 1) and actual PEB (Study 2) when past PEB is salient. The main contributions of the studies, limitations and possible future research directions are discussed.
Highlights
The urgent need to induce people to more environmentalfriendly and sustainable behaviors has increasingly grown (e.g., Carfora et al, 2017; Thøgersen & Noblet, 2012)
Study 1 provided initial evidence that the cognitive mindset moderates the relationship between past pro-environmental behavior (PEB) and willingness to engage in future PEBs
As hypothesized, the cognitive mindset synergizes with the valence of the recall of PEBs to produce spillover effects
Summary
The urgent need to induce people to more environmentalfriendly and sustainable behaviors has increasingly grown (e.g., Carfora et al, 2017; Thøgersen & Noblet, 2012). Evidence on the spillover effect relied mostly on correlational research designs Most of the existing studies on the spillover effect have relied on self-reported behaviors or behavioral intentions (for exceptions, see Baca-Motes et al, 2013; Tiefenbeck et al, 2013), which might be affected by judgmental and social desirability biases and might not reflect realistic trends. Numerous studies tested whether a first PEB would positively spill over to a second PEB, providing evidence for the virtuous escalator effect in a range of domains: from waste management behavior to sustainable shopping style (Thøgersen, 1999), from energy-saving behavior at work to energy-saving behavior at home (Littleford et al, 2014;), from “green” purchasing to a broader range of PEBs (Lanzini & Thøgersen, 2014), and from past PEBs to concerns for climate change and support for sustainability policies (Lacasse, 2016). The virtuous effect is more likely when the previous and the subsequent PEB are perceived as highly similar
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 call
