Publications (FIS)

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)
Institute of Environmental Planning
Environmental Behaviour and Planning
Leibniz Research Centre Energy 2050
External Organisation(s)
Osnabrück University
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
Type
Article
Journal
Frontiers in psychology
Volume
14
ISSN
1664-1078
Publication date
28.09.2023
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Psychology(all)
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 13 - Climate Action
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1225165 (Access: Open)