Perspective-taking with affected others to promote climate change mitigation

authored by

Ann Kathrin Koessler, Nicolai Heinz, Stefanie Engel

Abstract

Prior evidence suggests that perspective-taking may promote pro-environmental behavior, at least for low-cost behaviors or local environmental problems. Climate change, however, requires costly mitigation efforts and is a global problem. Thus, in this study, we examine whether perspective-taking in the context of climate change is effective in promoting mitigation behaviors, including actual and/or costly behaviors, the mechanisms through which perspective-taking works, and if the distance to the person adversely affected by climate change matters for the effect. We conducted an online experiment with a non-student sample from Germany (n = 557), utilizing a 2 × 2 factorial design, to investigate the impact of perspective-taking and distance on three outcome measures: a climate donation, signing a petition, and approval of mitigation policies. We find that perspective-taking does not promote these mitigation behaviors, yet it raises the degree perspective-takers value and – for close others – feel connected with the affected person. Exploratory analysis shows that dispositional perspective-taking and empathic concern are correlated with mitigation behaviors.

Organisation(s)

Institut für Umweltplanung
Umweltverhalten und Planung
Leibniz Forschungszentrum Energie 2050

External Organisation(s)

Universität Osnabrück
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ)

Type

Artikel

Journal

Frontiers in psychology

Volume

14

ISSN

1664-1078

Publication date

28.09.2023

Publication status

Veröffentlicht

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Psychologie (insg.)

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 13 – Klimaschutzmaßnahmen

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1225165 (Access: Offen)