Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-cx56b Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-09-23T20:13:52.523Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A Motivational Model for Environmentally Responsible Behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2013

Carmen Tabernero  and
Bernardo Hernández
Carmen Tabernero*
Affiliation:
Universidad de Córdoba (Spain)
Bernardo Hernández
Affiliation:
Universidad de La Laguna (Spain)
*
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Carmen Tabernero. Universidad de Córdoba, Departamento de Psicología. Avenida San Alberto Magno s/n. 14004- Córdoba (Spain). Phone: +34-957212513. E-mail: carmen.tabernero@uco.es
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper presents a study examining whether self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation are related to environmentally responsible behavior (ERB). The study analysed past environmental behavior, self-regulatory mechanisms (self-efficacy, satisfaction, goals), and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in relation to ERBs in a sample of 156 university students. Results show that all the motivational variables studied are linked to ERB. The effects of self-efficacy on ERB are mediated by the intrinsic motivation responses of the participants. A theoretical model was created by means of path analysis, revealing the power of motivational variables to predict ERB. Structural equation modeling was used to test and fit the research model. The role of motivational variables is discussed with a view to creating adequate learning contexts and experiences to generate interest and new sensations in which self-efficacy and affective reactions play an important role.

Este artículo analiza si autoeficacia y motivación intrínseca están relacionadas con el comportamiento ecológico responsable. El estudio analiza la relación del comportamiento proambiental en el pasado, los mecanismos de autorregulación (autoeficacia, satisfacción, metas) y la motivación intrínseca y extrínseca con el comportamiento ecológico responsable actual, en una muestra de 156 estudiantes universitarios. Los resultados muestran que todas las variables motivacionales estudiadas están vinculadas con el comportamiento ecológico responsable. Los efectos de la autoeficacia en el comportamiento ecológico responsable están mediados por las respuestas de motivación intrínseca de los participantes. Se confirmó mediante análisis de vías un modelo teórico, que puso de manifiesto la potencia de las variables motivacionales para poder predecir el comportamiento ecológico responsable. Mediante un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales se probó el ajuste el modelo. Se discute el papel de variables motivacionales a la hora de crear contextos de aprendizaje adecuados y nuevas experiencias, en los que la autoeficacia y las reacciones afectivas tienen gran importancia.

Keywords

self-efficacyintrinsic motivationenvironmentally responsible behaviorautoeficaciamotivación intrínsecaconducta ecológica responsable
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , July 2012 , pp. 648 - 658
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahn, S. J., & Bailenson, J. (2011). Embodied experiences in immersive virtual environments: Effects on pro-environmental self-efficacy and behavior (Technical Report) Standford University, Palo Alto, CA. Retrieved from http://vhil.stanford.edu/pubs/2011/VHIL-technical-report.pdfGoogle Scholar
Aragonés, J. I., Sevillano, V., Cortés, B., & Amérigo, M. (2006). Cuestiones ambientales que se perciben como problemas [The perception of environmental issues as problems]. Medio Ambiente y Comportamiento Humano, 72, 1–19.Google Scholar
Bamberg, S., & Möser, G. (2007). Twenty years after Hines, Hungerford, and Tomera:Anew meta-analysis of psychosocial determinants of pro-environmental behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 27, 14–25.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bandura, A. (1982). Self-efficacy mechanisms in human agency. American Psychologists, 37, 122–147. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.37.2.122CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. New York, NY: Freeman.Google Scholar
Bandura, A. (2002). Environmental sustainability by sociocognitive deceleration of population growth. In Schmuch, P. & Schultz, W. (Eds.), The psychology of sustainable development (pp. 209–238). Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bandura, A. (2005). The primacy of self-regulation in health promotion. Applied Psychology. An International Review, 54, 245–254. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1464-0597.2005.00208.xGoogle Scholar
Bandura, A. (2006). Guide to the construction of self-efficacy scales. In Pajares, F. & Urdan, T. (Eds.), Self-efficacy beliefs of adolescents (Vol. 5, pp. 307–337). Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.Google Scholar
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research. Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51, 1173–1182. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.51.6.1173CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Burton, K. D., Lydon, J. E., D'Alessandro, D. U., & Koestner, R. (2006). The differential effects of intrinsic motivation and identified motivation on well-being and performance: Prospective, experimental, and implicit approaches to Self-Determination Theory. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 750–762. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.91.4.750CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Caprara, G. V., & Bonino, S. (2006). Il comportamento prosociale [Prosocial Behavior]. Trento, Italia: Edizioni Erickson.Google Scholar
Caprara, G. V., & Steca, P. (2007). Prosocial agency: The contribution of values and self-efficacy beliefs to prosocial behavior across ages. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 26, 218–239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2007.26.2.218CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Combs, G. M., & Luthans, F. (2007). Diversity training:Analysis of the impact of self-efficacy. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 18, 91–120. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.1193CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Corbett, A. C. (2005). Experiential learning within the process of opportunity identification and exploitation. Entrepreneurship: Theory & Practice, 29, 473–491. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2005.00094.xGoogle Scholar
Corral-Verdugo, V., & Frías, M. (2006). Personal normative beliefs, antisocial behavior, and residential water conservation. Environment and Behavior, 38, 406–421. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916505282272CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Darner, R. (2009). Self-determination theory as a guide to fostering environmental motivation. Journal of Environmental Education, 40, 39–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.3200/JOEE.40.2.39-49CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Young, R. (2000). Expanding and evaluating motives for environmentally responsible behavior. Journal of Social Issues, 56, 509–526. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/0022-4537.00181CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11, 227–268. http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Diamantopoulos, A., Riefler, P., & Roth, K. P. (2008). Advancing formative measurement models. Journal of Business Research, 61, 1203–1218. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2008.01.009CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dwyer, W. O., Leeming, F. C., Corben, M. K., Porter, B. E., & Jackson, J. M. (1993). Critical review of behavioral interventions to preserve the environment: Research since 1980. Environment and Behavior, 25, 275–321. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916593255001CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Earley, P. C., & Lituchy, T. R. (1991). Delineating goal and efficacy effects. Atest of three models. Journal of Applied Psychology, 76, 81–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.76.1.81CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Eden, D., & Aviram, A. (1993). Self-efficacy training to speed reemployment: Helping people to help themselves. Journal of Applied Psychology, 78, 352–360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.78.3.352CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elliot, A. J., & Thrash, T. M. (2001). Achievement goals and the hierarchical model of achievement motivation. Educational Psychology Review, 12, 139–156. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009057102306CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Feltz, D. L., Short, S., & Sullivan, P. (2008). Self-efficacy in sport. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Garcia, J. N., & Fidalgo, R. (2008). Writing self-efficacy changes after cognitive strategy intervention is students with learning disabilities: The mediational role of gender in calibration. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 11, 414–432.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Geller, E. S. (2002). The challenge of increasing pro-environment behavior. In Bechtel, R. B. & Churchman, A. (Eds.), Handbook of Environmental Psychology. New York, NY: Wiley.Google Scholar
Grant, A. M. (2008). Does intrinsic motivation fuel the prosocial fire? Motivational synergy in predicting persistence, performance, and productivity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 48–58. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.1.48CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hartig, T., Kaiser, F. G., & Bowler, P. A. (2001). Psychological restoration in nature as a positive motivation for ecological behavior. Environment and Behavior, 33, 590–607. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00139160121973142CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Judge, T. A., Jackson, C. L., Shaw, J. C., Scott, B. A., & Rich, B. L. (2007). Self-efficacy and work-related performance: The integral role of individual differences. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92, 107–127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.92.1.107CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kalinowski, C. M., Lynne, G. D., & Johnson, B. (2006). Recycling as a reflection of balanced self-interest. Atest of metaeconomic approach. Environment and Behavior, 38, 333–355. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916505279043CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kanfer, R., & Ackerman, P. L. (1996). A self-regulatory skills perspective to reducing cognitive interference. In Sarason, I. G., Sarason, B. R., & Pierce, G. R. (Eds.), Cognitive interference: Theories, methods, and findings (pp. 153–171). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.Google Scholar
Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1996). Further examining theAmerican dream: Differential correlates of intrinsic and extrinsic goals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22, 280–287. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0146167296223006CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Levitt, L., & Leventhal, G. (1986). Litter reduction: How effective is the New York State Bottle Bill? Environment and Behavior, 18, 467–479. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916586184003CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lindsley, D. H., Brass, D. J., & Thomas, J. B. (1995). Efficacy-performance spirals: A multilevel perspective. Academy of Management Review, 20, 645–678. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/258790CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Locke, E. A. (1968). Toward a theory of task motivation and incentives. Organizational Behavior and Performance, 3, 157–189. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0030-5073(68)90004-4CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. (2002). Building a practically useful theory of goal setting and task motivation. A35-year Odyssey. American Psychologists, 57, 705–717. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.57.9.705CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Martín-Albó, J., Núñez, J. L., & Navarro, J. G. (2009). Validation of a Spanish version of the situational motivation scale (EMSI) in the educational context. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 12, 799–807.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mischel, W., & Shoda, Y. (1998). Reconciling processing dynamics and personality dispositions. Annual Review of Psychology, 49, 229–258. http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.49.1.229CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Moreno, J. A., González-Cutre, D., & Chillón, M. (2009). Preliminary validation in Spanish of a scale designed to measure motivation in physical education classes: The Perceived Locus of Causality (PLOC) Scale. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 12, 327–337.Google Scholar
Oceja, L., & Berenguer, J. (2009). Putting text in context: The conflict between pro-ecological messages and anti-ecological descriptive norms. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 12, 657–666.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Osbaldiston, R., & Sheldon, K. M. (2003). Promoting internalized motivation for environmentally responsible behavior. A prospective study of environmental goals. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23, 349–357. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(03)00035-5CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pajares, F., & Urdan, T. (2006). Self-efficacy beliefs of adolescents. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishing.Google Scholar
Pelletier, L. G., & Sharp, E. (2008). Persuasive communication and proenvironmental behaviors: How message tailoring and message framing can improve the integration of behaviors through self-determined motivation. Canadian Psychology, 3, 210–217. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0012755CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ramus, C. A., & Killmer, A. B. C. (2007). Corporate greening through prosocial extrarole behaviors – A conceptual framework for employee motivation. Business Strategy and the Environment, 16, 554–570. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/bse.504CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Srivastava, A., Locke, E.A., & Bartol, K. M. (2001). Money and subjective well-being: It's not the money, it's the motive. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 80, 959–971. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.80.6.959CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stajkovic, A. D., & Luthans, F. (1998). Self-efficacy and work-related performance:Ameta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 240–261 http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0033-2909.124.2.240CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Syme, G. J., Nancarrow, B. E., & Seligman, C. (2000). The evaluation of information campaigns to promote voluntary household water conservation. Evaluation Review, 24, 539–578. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0193841X0002400601CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tabernero, C., & Wood, R. E. (1999). Implicit theories versus the social construal of ability in regulation and performance on a complex task. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 78, 104–127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/obhd.1999.2829CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
TNS (2005). European Commission. The attitudes of European citizens towards environment. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_217_en.pdfGoogle Scholar
Vancouver, J. B., Moore, K. M., & Yoder, R. J. (2008). Self-efficacy and resource allocation: Support for a nonmonotonic, discontinuous model. Journal of Applied Psychology, 93, 35–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.93.1.35CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vancouver, J. B., Thompson, C. M., Tischner, E. C., & Putka, D. J. (2002). Two studies examining the negative effect of self-efficacy on performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 506–516. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.87.3.506CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vancouver, J. B., Thompson, C. M., & Williams, A. A. (2001). The changing signs in the relationships among self-efficacy, personal goals, and performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 86, 605–620. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0021-9010.86.4.605CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wood, R. E., & Bandura, A. (1989). Impact of conceptions of ability on self-regulatory mechanisms and complex decision making. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 56, 407–415. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.56.3.407CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zimmerman, B. J., & Schunk, D. H. (2003). Educational Psychology: A Century of Contributions. Mahwah N.J.: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.Google Scholar