Biospheric Value Orientations Research Articles

Gratitude letters to nature: Effects on self-nature representations and pro-environmental behavioral intentions

Although gratitude is often defined as an emotion that motivates reciprocity and social connectedness, people can also experience gratitude to nonhuman entities such as nature. Despite expressions of gratitude to nature being common in many cultures, little research has examined its implications for sustainability. In two studies, we explored how writing letters of gratitude to nature increase pro-environmental behavior by leading people to see nature as large and by leading to more inclusion of nature in one's self-concept. Study 1 compared the effects of nature gratitude letters to gratitude letters to built environments and to a control condition, finding that nature gratitude letters led to greater inclusion of nature in self and greater perceptions of nature size. Although there was no direct effect on intentions to act pro-environmentally, nature gratitude letters had indirect effects leading to greater pro-environmental intentions via both increased nature size and nature inclusion. Study 2 replicated these findings and explored two potential moderators: biospheric value orientation and personal norms of positive reciprocity. Replicating Study 1, nature gratitude letters led to more nature inclusion and greater nature size, and they produced stronger self-transcendent emotions and more pro-environmental behavioral intentions. Further, an interaction showed that the benefits of nature gratitude letters on pro-environmental behavioral intentions was only significant among those with relatively greater endorsement of biospheric values. Implications for sustainability and emotions research are discussed.

Green Spaces as Healthy Places: Correlates of Urban Green Space Use in Singapore.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when stress levels were heightened and social connections were threatened, a spike in green space visits was observed. Drawing upon the value-belief-norm (VBN) theory, which explains the influence of personal values and world view on perceived obligations to the environment and to action, relevant correlates were examined in relation to people's psychological wellbeing in a bid to better elucidate this phenomenon. We aimed to explore the associations amongst a number of protective factors for psychological wellbeing and to examine the applicability of the VBN theory to wellbeing rather than environmental behaviour. Our research aim was to understand some of the correlates of the use of urban green spaces in Singapore during COVID-19. In total, 268 adult residents of Singapore completed an online survey measuring proximity/frequency of visits to green space, value orientations, nature connectedness, social connectedness, religious belief, spirituality and psychological wellbeing, along with sociodemographic variables such as age and gender. As predicted by the VBN theory, biospheric value orientation and spirituality were positively associated with nature connectedness. The nature connectedness association with psychological wellbeing was completely mediated by spirituality. Frequency of visits to nature was also positively associated with nature connectedness. Neither proximity to nature nor social connectedness were associated with nature connectedness. An altruistic value orientation was associated only with religious belief. Our results indicate that during uncertain times, people are drawing on either social or nature connections as coping mechanisms to fulfil psychological needs and enhance psychological wellbeing. Spirituality mediates this pathway for nature connectedness but not for social connectedness.

Collaborative Consumption Practices in Kyrgyzstan

This research article studies collaborative consumption practices in Kyrgyzstan in the context of the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Auckland Individualism and Collectivism dimensions. The research aims to answer the question: To what extent are the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Individualism and Collectivism dimensions relevant framework to explaining intention to engage in collaborative consumption and collaborative consumption behaviour. A quantitative online survey of 308 respondents was conducted. A linear regression analysis was performed using the R statistics engine. The study found that dimensions of the TPB such as attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, and personal norms; and the dimension of individualism – responsibility are among the statistically significant positive predictors of intentions to engage in collaborative consumption. Whereas personal norms, behavioural beliefs, advice, and closeness are positive; biospheric value orientations and harmony are negative factors impacting the collaborative consumption behaviour of respondents.

Nature conservation versus climate protection: a basic conflict of goals regarding the acceptance of climate protection measures?

Transformation processes are embedded in a broader discourse on sustainability, climate protection, and biodiversity protection. In this context, possible interindividual conflicts between an interest in nature conservation and efforts to counteract climate change also seem to be relevant. This study focuses on the acceptability of different climate protection measures with possible impacts on landscapes, habitats, and human recreation. Based on a survey of a representative sample (N = 1,427 participants), the impact of conservation-related beliefs on the acceptance of four different climate protection measures was analyzed with respect to possible conflicts with values and norms relevant to climate protection. The study focuses in particular on potential value-based conflicts, as this type of conflict is classified as non-negotiable in negotiation processes and thus represents a particular social challenge. Also, to consider the possible relevance of political orientation and humanity orientation, eight structural equation models were tested. Results showed similar structures for the acceptance of the four climate protection measures. There did not seem to be value-based conflicts between nature conservation and climate protection, as the results showed substantial similarities between nature conservation beliefs grounded in biospheric value orientation (protecting biodiversity) and values and norms relevant for climate protection. Political orientation seemed to be relevant as well, as left-oriented people were more likely to accept the four climate protection measures that were tested. However, the relationship between political orientation and acceptance of the measures was - without exception - mediated by the personal norm.

Simple and Smart: Investigating Two Heuristics That Guide the Intention to Engage in Different Climate-Change-Mitigation Behaviors

Individuals can support climate-change mitigation in many ways, e.g., through private-sphere behaviors or the support of political measures. We assume that the common climate-change-mitigation heuristic of restriction does not sufficiently support impactful mitigation intentions and therefore introduce and investigate a new heuristic (optimization heuristic.) In a cross-sectional survey with N = 1427 participants (representative of the German population with regard to age, gender, education), we developed two scales to measure the heuristics of restriction and optimization. As individual climate-change-mitigation intentions, we recorded four types of private-sphere behavior, activism, and three forms of policy support. Further psychological variables (personal norm, biospheric value orientation) and sociodemographic variables were recorded. The factorial structure of all concepts was assessed by means of confirmatory factor analyses. Hierarchical regression analyses with the climate-change-mitigation intentions as the criterion were carried out. Results support the assumption of two related, yet distinct, climate-change-mitigation heuristics that were highly correlated with biospheric value orientation. We additionally computed measure of the dominance of the restriction heuristic. This variable had no correlation with biospheric values, and correlated with the intentions in the expected ways, indicating that individuals with a dominant restriction heuristic tend to show lower scores of impactful climate-change-mitigation intentions.

Gender difference in biospheric values and opinions on nature management actions: The case of seal watching in Iceland

Gender differences in biospheric value orientation and opinions on wildlife management have the potential to be used as a management tool in wildlife watching settings. In this research note, we build on a dataset from Chauvat et al. (2021) to investigate gender differences in biospheric value orientation and opinions on seal watching management of visitors at seal watching sites post hoc. Questionnaires (n = 597) were collected at three sites in Northwest Iceland. It was found that when genders were compared, women had stronger biospheric value orientations, were more aware of potential anthropogenic impacts on seals, believed to a higher extent that regulations were useful in terms of decreasing impact, and were more positive towards most management actions suggested in the questionnaire. We argue that further understanding of the gender dynamics regarding pro-environmental attitudes may be a valuable element in the context of sustainable wildlife tourism management.

Personality and pro-environmental engagements: The role of the Dark Triad, the Light Triad, and value orientations

This study aims to investigate the associations between the Dark Triad personality (DTP), the Light Triad personality (LTP), and pro-environmental behavior (PEB), and the mediating roles of value orientations (biospheric, egoistic, and altruistic values) in these relationships. A total of 312 individuals aged between 18 and 56 (M = 27.45; SD = 9.32) participated in this study. Path analysis showed that DTP was associated with an increase in the egoistic and with a decrease in the altruistic and biospheric value orientations. Additionally, LTP was associated with increased altruistic and biospheric value orientations. Last, LTP and DTP predicted pro-environmental behavioral intentions and past PEB via biospheric value orientation. Implications are discussed.

RESIDENTS’ PERCEPTION ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, VALUE ORIENTATION, AND DESTINATION ATTRACTIVENESS: A STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODEL ON SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN REGION XI

This study was conducted to determine the best fit model for sustainable tourism in Region XI, Philippines using the quantitative, non-experimental research design employing the correlational technique. Respondents of the study were the 509 Davao Region residents selected through stratified sampling. Adapted questionnaires were translated into electronic survey form were used to measure the extent and establish the relationship between residents’ perception on tourism development, value orientation, and destination attractiveness to sustainable tourism using the mean, Pearson r, regression, and structural equation modeling as statistical tools. The study revealed high levels of residents’ perception on tourism development and sustainable tourism, while value orientation and destination attractiveness level was very high. Results also show that residents’ perception on tourism development, value orientation, and destination attractiveness have a significant relationship across all dimensions of sustainable tourism, with residents’ perception on tourism development as the greatest influencer for sustainable tourism. Finally, structural equation modeling determined the best fit model characterized by the direct influence of residents’ perception on tourism development and value orientation on sustainable tourism with positive perception, support to tourism, biospheric value orientation, and altruistic value orientation left as indicators. However, destination attractiveness proved to have a negative influence on sustainable tourism. KEYWORDS: Residents’ perception on tourism development, value orientation, destination attractiveness, sustainable tourism,

Potential effects of green brand legitimacy and the biospheric value of eco-friendly behavior on online food delivery: a mediation approach

PurposeThis study aims to apply legitimacy theory and self-identity theory to the online food delivery (OFD) app service and then to investigate the impact of green brand legitimacy and biospheric value orientation perceived by customers on eco-friendly behavior.Design/methodology/approachThis study focuses on the mediating role of trust in green brands and its perceived benefits (including psychological and environmental benefits). This study involved an online survey of 445 customers who had experienced using OFD services in the past six months.FindingsThe platform's green brand legitimacy and consumer perceived biospheric value orientation positively impact trust in green brands. Trust in green products and services significantly affects customers' perceived benefits and has a positive impact on eco-friendly service using behavior. Mediating effect analysis indicated that brand legitimacy and biospheric value have a positive indirect influence on the psychological benefits of supporting green activities and utilitarian environmental benefits.Research limitations/implicationsThe convenience sampling method is used, and its purely quantitative nature may limit the generalization of the research results.Practical implicationsThe OFD platform should encourage online catering retailers to use more eco-friendly packages for packaging food and minimize the provision of disposable tableware. The platform manager can provide consumers with knowledge and information on lowering related environmental pollution sources when ordering food.Originality/valueThis study innovatively introduces brand legitimacy into the green consumption literature. This is an essential expansion of the content of brand legitimacy and a supplement for the research field of eco-friendly behavior.

High-income Households—Damned to consume or free to engage in high-impact energy-saving behaviours?

Private households play a relevant role in reducing CO2 emissions, but it remains unclear whether and which psychological factors are related to emissions. Given the relevance of income as a general driver of consumption and CO2 emissions, it seems particularly important to investigate how income and psychological variables interact. In two studies (a convenience sample from a city in Saxony Anhalt with N = 642 participants and a representative sample from Saxony Anhalt with N = 300 participants), we investigated the moderating role of household income in correlations between motivational variables (biospheric value orientation, personal norm to protect the climate, and sufficiency orientation) and intentions to engage in three types of environmentally relevant behaviours (curtailment behaviours, efficiency behaviours, and political behaviours). Results showed that motivational factors were correlated with all three behavioural domains. High- and low-income households differed significantly in correlations between motivational factors and efficiency intentions. As expected, correlations between motivational factors and intentions to engage in political behaviours did not seem to be affected by income.

The effects of values and information on the willingness to pay for sustainability credence attributes for coffee

AbstractThis research estimates consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for coffee labeled for sustainability credence attributes using non‐hypothetical experimental auctions. We examined consumers’ WTP for Fair Trade, USDA Organic, Rainforest Alliance, Direct Trade, and a combination of Fair Trade and USDA Organic labels on coffee. Additionally, we investigated the underlying motivations of WTP for sustainable coffee. Specifically, we focused on altruistic, egoistic, and biospheric value orientation, and the warm glow effect. Our results indicate that consumers are willing to pay a premium of $2.57 for a 12oz coffee bag labeled for both, Fair Trade and USDA Organic, $2.04 for USDA Organic, $1.79 for Fair Trade, $1.96 for Rainforest Alliance, and $1.71 for Direct Trade. We also find that consumers react positively to information about the labels’ claims, increasing the premium by approximately 55% for Rainforest Alliance coffee and 72% for Fair Trade coffee. Although some consumers exclusively pursue their self‐interest and do not care about social goals “per se”, this does not hold for everyone. Our study demonstrates that the warm glow effect on consumers that like coffee influences bids for coffee that carries sustainability labels.

Interactive effects of citizen trust and cultural values on pro-environmental behaviors: A time-lag study from Indonesia

Countries that encourage pro-environmental behaviors to safeguard their citizens' health and safety contribute positively towards safeguarding nature and the environment. Therefore, investigating the motivators and triggering factors of people's pro-environmental behaviors is of utmost importance for scholars. Thus, grounded on the bio-spheric value orientation theory, the impact of various cultural values, including collectivism, femininity uncertainty avoidance, and future orientation on the citizens' pro-environmental behavior, has been examined in the current study. Additionally, the moderating role of citizens' trust has also been examined to check the enhanced effect of cultural values on pro-environmental behavior. Surveying 576 citizens of Palangka Raya Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, at two different times with six months gap, results showed that collectivism, femininity uncertainty avoidance, and future orientation positively and significantly influence pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, citizens' trust moderates these associations while depicting that more citizens' trust results in stronger cultural values associations with pro-environmental behavior. Overall, this study is incremental in exploring the interactive effect of citizens' trust with various cultural values to enhance pro-environmental behavior among citizens of Palangka Raya city, Indonesia. Besides, research brings multiple theoretical, managerial, and future research implications.

Generation gap in sustainable travel behaviors: Gen Y vs. Gen Z

Despite the increasing importance of sustainable travel behaviors among young travelers, research on this topic is still very limited. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in sustainable travel behaviors between Gen Y and Gen Z. A survey of Vietnamese people was conducted in 2020, and 446 responses were used for empirical analyses. Results indicate that the two generations share similarities in their opinions on sustainable tourism-related concepts, including “environmental consciousness,” “biospheric value orientation,” “personal norms,” and “sacrifice for environment.” Gen Y appears to have a significantly higher environmental awareness than Gen Z. For sustainable travel behaviors, several items show significant differences between generations. Gen Z tends to act sustainably while they are planning a trip, while Gen Y is active in practicing sustainable travel behaviors while they are on-the-move. Gen Y and Gen Z share similarities in their travel behaviors toward waste reduction, their open-mindedness to experience new things, and their protection of resources. Results imply that generational cohorts could be used as an important variable in tourism market segmentation for sustainable tourism management. Practical implications to promote Gen Y’s and Gen Z’s practice of sustainable travel behaviors are discussed. Directions for future research are also addressed.

Feeling Good in the Place We Live: The Moderating Role of the Perception of Environmental Resources in the Relationship between Values and Personal and Family Well-Being

The environmental psychological literature suggested that three different value orientations (egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric) are relevant for understanding environmental beliefs and intentions. We surveyed 365 Italian adults of different ages (range 18–87) to examine whether the egoistic, altruistic, and biospheric value orientations can lead to personal and/or family related well-being. Additionally, it is examined whether the perception of presence and accessibility of two types of environmental resources (natural and urbanistic) related to ecosystem services can moderate the relation between value orientations and personal and family well-being. Results of moderation analyses showed that people with high biospheric values felt themselves as more satisfied if they perceived high and medium (but not low) presence or accessibility of natural resources in their environment, while people with high egoistic values perceived their family more satisfied if they perceived the high and medium (but not low) presence of good infrastructures in their environment of living. No significant moderation model emerged considering the participants’ altruistic values. The implications for environmental beliefs and well-being are discussed.

Predictors of intentions to conserve bats among New York property owners

ABSTRACT Understanding why private property owners take actions to conserve bats has become increasingly important in U.S. states where the fungus causing white-nose syndrome (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) has decimated bat populations. We surveyed property owners in three New York State counties (n = 2,500) and used multiple linear regression analyses to test predictors of intentions to conserve bats. Intentions to take actions that contribute to bat conservation directly were predicted by severity of rabies consequences, sense of bat conservation self efficacy, beliefs about responsibility for bat conservation, and attitudes toward bats (R2 =.39). Intentions to take actions that conserve bats indirectly were predicted by biospheric value orientations, beliefs about responsibility for bat conservation, and attitudes toward bats (R2 =.27). The relationship between beliefs about rabies and intentions to take actions that contribute to bat conservation highlights the need for coordinated risk communication between public health and wildlife conservation organizations.

What predicts household waste management behaviors? Culture and type of behavior as moderators

This study seeks to examine the factors predicting waste management behaviors— recycling (difficult and easy) and waste minimization—based on social norms and environmental orientation in a cross-cultural context. A survey conducted among 401 university students from Japan, Germany and Israel included measures of social norms for recycling and minimization, biospheric value orientation, environmental concern (NEP), and waste management behaviors. Results showed that difficult recycling was lower than the other two behaviors, and that household waste management behaviors were higher among Germans than among the other two groups. The relative contribution of environmental orientation to waste management behavior was generally weaker in Japan than in Germany and Israel. Social norms significantly predicted easy recycling and minimization in all three groups, and difficult recycling only in Germany and Israel. Social norms were a stronger predictor of easy recycling among Israelis than among Japanese. The research results imply that both structural contexts and cultural factors influence the extent to which people engage in recycling and waste minimization. The results highlight the importance of integrating cultural considerations into waste management strategies.

Sensory stimulation for sensible consumption: Multisensory marketing for e-tailing of ethical brands

Amidst strong competition and lack of resources and functional superiority, ethical brands may seek an experiential approach to marketing online. A between-subjects online experiment (N = 308) shows that ethically-congruent visual and auditory cues, and a tactile priming statement, positively influence consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for an ethical brand online. Altruistic and Biospheric value-orientation (ALTBIO) and Need for Touch (NfT) were considered as moderators to account for specific segments. For consumers with high ALTBIO, the effects of visual and auditory cues are mediated by Consumer Perceived Brand Ethicality (CPBE). Tactile priming has a significant effect only for consumers with high NfT. However, the interaction between the three cues has a positive effect on WTP irrespective of CPBE, ALTBIO, and NfT. Findings illustrate multisensory marketing's efficacy in fostering sensible consumption (considerate of natural and societal environments and their inhabitants) online for the mass-market and specific segments by creating an experiential customer judgement-context.

Testing VBN theory in Japan: Relationships between values, beliefs, norms, and acceptability and expected effects of a car pricing policy

The VBN (value-belief-norm) theory of environmentalism postulates that values influence pro-environmental behaviour via pro-environmental beliefs and personal norms. A few studies provided support for the theory in explaining pro-environmental behaviour in Europe and Latin America. Beyond these studies, the question remains to what extent the VBN theory can also explain pro-environmental beliefs, norms, and behaviour in other cultures. This study tests the VBN theory in Japan and demonstrates that, as expected, the more people endorse biospheric values, the stronger they believe that car use has negative environmental impacts, the more they feel responsible for the problems caused by car use, and the more they feel personally obliged to reduce their car use. In contrast, stronger hedonic and, to a lesser extent, stronger egoistic values were related to less strong pro-environmental beliefs and norms. Furthermore, support was found for the mediation effects of pro-environmental beliefs in the relationships between hedonic and biospheric value orientations and norms. The VBN theory explained the acceptability and expected effects of a car pricing policy on an individual’s transport choices, but less strongly than in previous studies. Interestingly, biospheric and hedonic values not only predicted adjacent beliefs, but also other beliefs and norms farther down the causal chain, suggesting that values play an important role in promoting sustainable mobility.

Investigating Orchard Men's Behavioral Intentions of Dashtestan County toward Water Conservation Using Stern Value-Belief-Norm Theory

Investigating Orchard Men's Behavioral Intentions of Dashtestan County toward Water Conservation Using Stern Value-Belief-Norm Theory

Understanding Collaborative Consumption: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior with Value-Based Personal Norms

Collaborative consumption is proposed as a potential step beyond unsustainable linear consumption patterns toward more sustainable consumption practices. Despite mounting interest in the topic, little is known about the determinants of this consumer behavior. We use an extended theory of planned behavior to examine the relative influence of consumers’ personal norms and the theory’s basic sociopsychological variables attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on collaborative consumption. Moreover, we use this framework to examine consumers’ underlying value and belief structure regarding collaborative consumption. We measure these aspects for 224 consumers in a survey and then assess their self-reported collaborative consumption behavior in a second survey. Our structural model fits the data well. Collaborative consumption is more strongly—through intentions—influenced by personal norms and attitudes than by subjective norms. Personal norms to consume collaboratively are determined by consumers’ altruistic, biospheric, and egoistic value orientations. Cost savings, efficient use of resources, and community with others are found to be consumers’ attitudinal beliefs underlying collaborative consumption. We conclude that collaborative consumption can be pin-pointed neither as a mere form of economic exchange nor as a primarily normative form of sharing resources. Instead, collaborative consumption is determined by economic/egoistic (e.g., cost savings) and normative (e.g., altruistic and biospheric value orientations) motives. Implications for collaborative consumption research, the theory of planned behavior, and practitioners are discussed.