How I See Me—A Meta-Analysis Investigating the Association Between Identities and Pro-environmental Behaviour

Abstract

Prolific research suggests identity associates with pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) that are individual and/or group focused. Individual PEB is personally driven, self-reliant, and are conducted on one's own (e.g., home recycling). Group focused PEB is other people-reliant and completed as part of a group (e.g., attending meetings of an environmental organisation). A wide range of identities have been related to PEBs. For example, a recent systematic qualitative review revealed 99 different types of identities studied in a PEB context. Most studies were correlational, few had an experimental design. However, the relationships between all these identities and PEBs have so far not been tested quantitatively with meta-analytical techniques. As such, a clear overview of this field is currently lacking. Due to the diverse nature of the field, a priori hypotheses were not possible and relatively broad definitions of identity had to be used to encompass all types of identities and the diverse meanings of identity that have been included in PEB research. What prior theory did allow for was to assess the distinction between two main types of identity, namely how people label, describe, and recognise oneself individually (individual identity), or as part of a group (group identity). Our overall goal was thus to assess the current state of knowledge on identities and PEBs. In 104 studies using a meta-regression following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, our random-effects meta-analysis showed that the overall concept of identity associated with PEB with a medium Pearson's r (Aim 1). Furthermore, we found that individual identities associated more strongly with PEBs than group identities (Aim 2). The associations between individual and group identities were stronger when the identity and PEB were from the same category (e.g., when both were group-focused; Aim 3). Methodologically, the findings revealed that group identities and group PEBs were most strongly associated for self-reported rather than observed PEBs (Aim 4). Overall identity associated most strongly with group PEBs in the field rather than in the lab (Aim 5) and in student- rather than non-student samples (Aim 6). We discuss the theoretical and practical implications.

Attitudes, Habits, and Behavior Change

“…The relation between habit and self-identity may stem from habits being based on important values, which can be considered as long-term motivations. This may pertain to personal identities but equally to shared social identities (Udall et al 2021). Verplanken and Sui (2019, Study 2) provided experimental evidence that the association of habits with self-identity is stronger if habits are linked to values.…”

“…Slovinec D'Angelo et al (2014) monitored physical exercise among coronary heart disease patients and found that self-efficacy and autonomous motivation were predictors in the short-term (6 months), while autonomous motivation continued to predict engagement in physical exercise in the longer term (12 months). A long-term habit may become 'mine' or part of my identity and may thus implicate the self (Udall et al 2021). Verplanken and Sui (2019, Study 1) showed that the degree to which participants associated habits with their true self correlated with selfintegration, self-esteem and an orientation towards an ideal self.…”

Envy and Environmental Decision Making: The Mediating Role of Self-Control

“…Therefore, environmental decisions are not just choices of personal lifestyle; they are more related to moral action [ 3 , 4 ]. Pro-environmental behavior (PEB), which consists of recycling water, paper and clothes, conserving energy, taking public transportation, green consumption, eating more fruits and vegetables, and donating to environmental campaigns or charities, is motivated by moral emotions [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Therefore, engaging in sustainable activities facilitate individuals to leave or maintain a good impression and seek high social status [ 8 , 9 ].…”

“…It is well known that social comparisons motivate consumption, including seeking status, showing off personal distinction, and “keeping up with joneses” [ 17 ]. As a result, it might contribute to irrational consequences such as overconsumption, resource wasting, and environmental damage [ 5 ] Envy occurs in the upward social comparisons when similar people acquire something (e.g., ideal quality, opportunity, task performance and product) that individuals are longing for [ 18 , 19 ]. It is not only defined as a state driven by situations but also conceptualized as a personality trait—dispositional envy that describes the chronic feeling of envy in social settings [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Influence of Appeal Type and Message Framing on Residents’ Intent to Engage in Pro-Environmental Behavior

“…Moreover, because observational data on individual PEBs are difficult to obtain, we relied on the literature and used a self-report method to measure public tendency and intent to engage in waste separation and other PEBs. However, to a certain extent, the type of behavioral measurement and research settings altered the associations between identity and PEBs [ 93 ]. Therefore, the methodological limitations may have affected the external validity of our results.…”