Year
2016
Season
Summer
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Psychology
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. Department of Psychology
First Advisor
Dr. Heather Barnes Truelove
Second Advisor
Dr. Paul Fuglestad
Department Chair
Dr. Lori Lange
College Dean
Dr. Daniel Moon
Abstract
Most efforts to categorize pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) have focused on researchers’ – rather than laypeople’s – perceptions of PEBs. Drawing on the psychometric paradigm used to categorize environmental risks, we aimed to identify the PEB attributes salient to laypeople and, from that, determine the underlying dimensions of PEB. In Study 1, participants (n = 157) evaluated 30 PEBs through open-ended questions. The results revealed 21 attributes that laypeople commonly associate with PEBs. In Study 2, 250 MTurk participants rated 74 PEBs on the 21 attributes. An exploratory factor analysis revealed four factors underlying PEB: Factor 1 (Financial and Behavioral Cost), Factor 2 (External Pressures), Factor 3 (Environmental Impact and Savings) and Factor 4 (Health and Safety Impacts). PEBs were characterized along each dimension and along multiple dimensions using biplots. Additionally, the four factors strongly predicted behavior intention. The results have implications for interventions to increase PEBs in the general public.
Suggested Citation
Gillis, Ashley Jade, "Categorizing Pro-environmental Behaviors Using the Laypeople's Perspective" (2016). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 641.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/641