To reduce and not to reduce resource consumption? That is two questions

• Published in: Journal of environmental psychology Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 112 - 122
• Main Authors: Richetin, Juliette, Perugini, Marco, Conner, Mark, Adjali, Iqbal, Hurling, Robert, Sengupta, Abhijit, Greetham, Danica
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01.06.2012
• Subjects: Attitudinal models; Behaviour studies; Cognition; Consumption; Doing; Goals; Mediation; Not doing; Planned behaviour theory; Pro-environmental behavioural prediction; Pro-environmental behavioural prediction; Attitudinal models; Goals; Doing; Not doing
• ISSN: 0272-4944; 1522-9610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2012.01.003

Recent research shows that because they rely on separate goals, cognitions about not performing a behaviour are not simple opposites of cognitions about performing the same behaviour. Using this perspective, two studies (N = 758 &N = 104) examined the psycho-social determinants of reduction in resource consumption. Results showed that goals associated with reducing versus not reducing resource consumption were not simple opposites (Study 1). Additionally, the discriminant validity of the Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs associated with reducing versus not reducing resource consumption was demonstrated (Study 1 & 2). Moreover, results revealed the incremental validity of both Intentions (to reduce and to not reduce resource consumption) for predicting a series of behaviours (Study 1 & 2). Finally, results indicated a mediation role for the importance of ecological dimensions on the effect of both Intentions on a mock TV choice and a mediation role for the importance of non ecological dimensions on the effect of Intention of not reducing on the same TV choice. Discussion is organized around the consequences, at both theoretical and applied levels, of considering separate motivational systems for reducing and not reducing resource consumption. ► Separate motivational systems for reducing and not reducing resource consumption. ► Discriminant validity of the TPB constructs applied to reducing and not reducing. ► Behaviours are predicted both by the intention to reduce and the intention to not reduce. ► Mediation of importance of ecological dimensions on the effect of both intentions on behaviour.