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The Prosocial Driver of Ecological Behavior: The Need for an Integrated Approach to Prosocial and Environmental Education

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  • Alexander Neaman

    (Laboratory of Bioresource Potential of Coastal Area, Institute for Advanced Studies, Sevastopol State University, 299053 Sevastopol, Russia
    Centro Transdisciplinario de Estudios Ambientales y Desarrollo Humano Sostenible (CEAM), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile)

  • Pamela Pensini

    (School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia)

  • Sarah Zabel

    (Institute of Education, Work and Society, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Siegmar Otto

    (Institute of Education, Work and Society, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke University, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Dmitry S. Ermakov

    (Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Elvira A. Dovletyarova

    (Department of Landscape Design and Sustainable Ecosystems, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198 Moscow, Russia)

  • Elliot Burnham

    (Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2260000, Chile)

  • Mónica Castro

    (Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2260000, Chile)

  • Claudia Navarro-Villarroel

    (Área de Educación, Instituto de Estadística, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile)

Abstract

Although both altruistic and ecological behaviors can be considered prosocially driven behaviors, our psychological understanding of what motivates action in either the human or ecological domains is still in its infancy. We aimed to assess connection to nature and connection to humans as mediators of the relationship between prosocial propensity and prosocial behaviors in both the ecological and human domains. This study used empathy as an indicator of an individual’s prosocial propensity. The data for the study was collected through surveys in Russian (841 participants) and Spanish (418 participants). The study demonstrated that an individual’s prosocial propensity can be actioned into ecological (nature-related) behavior through connection to nature. Similarly, an individual’s prosocial propensity can be actioned into altruistic (human-related) behavior through connection to humans. However, the present study also demonstrates that an individual’s prosocial propensity can be directed to humans through a connection to nature. Thus, altruistic and ecological behaviors are two related classes of behavior, driven by the same prosocial propensity of the individual. This study is an important step towards generating scientific support for the claim that traditionally separate teaching of prosocial and environmental subjects should be combined into a single educational approach. An integrated approach will contribute to a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary effort to create a society that is both ecologically and socially sustainable.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Neaman & Pamela Pensini & Sarah Zabel & Siegmar Otto & Dmitry S. Ermakov & Elvira A. Dovletyarova & Elliot Burnham & Mónica Castro & Claudia Navarro-Villarroel, 2022. "The Prosocial Driver of Ecological Behavior: The Need for an Integrated Approach to Prosocial and Environmental Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4202-:d:785181
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Otto, Siegmar & Kröhne, Ulf & Richter, David, 2018. "The dominance of introspective measures and what this implies: The example of environmental attitude," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13.
    2. César Tapia-Fonllem & Victor Corral-Verdugo & Blanca Fraijo-Sing & Maria Fernanda Durón-Ramos, 2013. "Assessing Sustainable Behavior and its Correlates: A Measure of Pro-Ecological, Frugal, Altruistic and Equitable Actions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Susan M. Koger, 2013. "Psychological and Behavioral Aspects of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(7), pages 1-3, July.
    4. Alexander Neaman & Siegmar Otto & Eli Vinokur, 2018. "Toward an Integrated Approach to Environmental and Prosocial Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-11, February.
    5. Pablo Díaz-Siefer & Alexander Neaman & Eduardo Salgado & Juan L. Celis-Diez & Siegmar Otto, 2015. "Human-Environment System Knowledge: A Correlate of Pro-Environmental Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(11), pages 1-17, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefanos Balaskas & Aliki Panagiotarou & Maria Rigou, 2023. "Impact of Environmental Concern, Emotional Appeals, and Attitude toward the Advertisement on the Intention to Buy Green Products: The Case of Younger Consumer Audiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Colette Konietzny & Jirka Konietzny & Albert Caruana, 2024. "Drivers of Pro-Ecological Behaviour Norms among Environmentalists, Hunters and the General Public," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-14, February.
    3. Alexander Neaman & Eiliana Montero & Pamela Pensini & Elliot Burnham & Mónica Castro & Dmitry S. Ermakov & Claudia Navarro-Villarroel, 2023. "Unleashing the Power of Connection: How Adolescents’ Prosocial Propensity Drives Ecological and Altruistic Behaviours," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-14, May.

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