The moderating effect of collective efficacy on the relationship between environmental values and ecological behaviors

L H Macias-Zambrano,A J Carpio,E Cuadrado,C Tabernero

doi:10.1007/s10668-021-01611-w

Abstract

Sustainability implies improvements in responsible behaviors such as recycling and energy saving. Yet, ecological behaviors cannot be improved only by attending to personal variables; focus must also be put on the collective variables. The main aim of this research was to analyze how individual variables (environmental values) and collective variables (collective efficacy for ecological behavior) interact to explain recycling (Study 1; 502 students of Spanish universities) and energy-saving behaviors (Study 2; 544 students of Ecuadorian universities). Participants completed an online questionnaire that reflected all the studied variables. Ecological behaviors were collected through frequency scales. The results of the moderated analyses performed with Process for SPSS confirmed the moderating effect of collective efficacy in the relationship that both preservation and appreciation established with recycling and energy-saving behavior alike. This moderating effect was also confirmed in the relationship that utilization developed with recycling, but not with energy saving. Thus, collective efficacy directly influences pro-environmental behavior, but also interacts with the personal values of individuals. Consequently, the results indicate the need to encourage collective efficacy for ecological behaviors of individuals, groups, collectives, and communities.

Highlights

IntroductionThe normal functioning of industrialized societies produces environmental changes (Ollinaho, 2016; Rudel et al, 2011)
Whether consciously or unconsciously, the normal functioning of industrialized societies produces environmental changes (Ollinaho, 2016; Rudel et al, 2011)
Focus was initially placed on personal variables related to individual pro-environmental behavior, investigations are exploring collective variables as well

Summary

Introduction

The normal functioning of industrialized societies produces environmental changes (Ollinaho, 2016; Rudel et al, 2011). Encouraging pro-environmental and ecological behaviors in individuals and society is critical for the planet’s sustainability, especially in societies that use natural resources unsustainably until they are despoiled (Jia et al, 2019; Milfont & Duckitt, 2004) To this end, numerous studies have paid special attention to the personal variables that may affect how individuals behave with regard to the environment (Corraliza & Berenguer, 2000; Fritsche et al, 2018). Authors have argued that altering behaviors toward a sustainable society necessitates attention to individual variables and to the collective practices that may facilitate (or, in contrast, impede) pro-environmental actions (Bamberg et al, 2015; Peattie & Peattie, 2009; Shove, 2010)

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