The psychological contamination of pro-environmental consensus: Political pressure for environmental belief agreement undermines its long-term power

Abstract

Is political pressure effective at producing pro-environmental action? While political pressure can have benefits, it may also sow the seeds for long-term backlash because it psychologically contaminates any emerging consensus. Three studies demonstrate the value of considering this psychological contamination perspective across three different environmental domains. Study 1 (n = 151) demonstrated that psychological contamination about climate science is a unique predictor of the likelihood of supporting both governmental and civilian action about climate change. Studies 2 (n = 302) and 3 (n = 351) used experimental scenarios to test psychological contamination's indirect role in the political pressure→contamination→rejection of governmental action chain. Using rainforest protection (Study 2) and recycling (Study 3), results provide support for the hypothesis that political pressure increases psychological contamination, which in turn decreases support for governmental action. We discuss implications of these findings for understanding Americans' lukewarm attitudes towards climate change action, and the ultimate success of pro-environmental policies more broadly.