The Role of Social Influences on Pro-Environment Behaviors in the San Diego Region

J Urban Health. 2017 Apr;94(2):170-179. doi: 10.1007/s11524-017-0139-0.

Abstract

From a social psychological perspective, addressing the threats of climate change involves not only education, which imparts objective facts upon a passive individual, but also a socializing process. The Tripartite Integration Model of Social Influence (TIMSI) provides a theoretical framework that connects acquiring climate change knowledge with integration into a community, which results in greater engagement in climate friendly behaviors. Survey data were collected from 1000 residents in San Diego County. Measures included (a) knowledge about climate change; (b) self-efficacy, what pro-environmental actions they felt they could do; (c) identity, to what extent they identified as part of a community that is concerned about climate change; (d) values, endorsement of values of the community that is concerned about climate change; and (e) pro-environmental behavior, engagement in conservation behaviors. Results indicated that self-efficacy and values mediated the relationship between knowledge and pro-environmental behavior.

Keywords: Climate change education; Efficacy; Environmental identity; Social influence; Values.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • California
  • Climate Change*
  • Environment*
  • Humans
  • Knowledge*
  • Models, Psychological
  • Social Identification*
  • Social Norms*