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Development and Validation of a Scale to Assess Moral Disengagement in High-Carbon Behavior

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  • Susanne Stoll-Kleemann

    (Institute of Geography and Geology, Department of Sustainability Science and Applied Geography, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany)

  • Philipp Franikowski

    (Institute of Psychology, Department of General Psychology II, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany)

  • Susanne Nicolai

    (Institute of Geography and Geology, Department of Sustainability Science and Applied Geography, University of Greifswald, 17489 Greifswald, Germany)

Abstract

The reduction of individual carbon consumption could make an important contribution to the worldwide effort to limit global warming. Based on Bandura’s theory of moral disengagement, we hypothesized that the propensity to morally disengage concerning high-carbon behaviors (e.g., eating meat or traveling by plane) is one important factor that prevents individuals from reducing their carbon footprint. To measure the propensity to morally disengage in high-carbon-related behavior contexts, a questionnaire (MD-HCB) was developed and psychometrically validated in an online study with a German sample ( N = 220). Confirmatory factor analyses revealed that the final nine-item scale had a one-dimensional structure, as intended. The internal consistency of the scale was excellent (Cronbach’s α = 0.94) and the scale interpretation had predictive validity for both past low-carbon consumption behavior and the intention to engage in such behavior in the future. Correlational analyses with relevant existing instruments confirmed the construct validity of the interpretations that can be drawn from the MD-HCB, as its resulting score is related to, yet separable from, the general tendency to morally disengage and is meaningfully connected to related constructs. A pre-study with a student sample ( N = 89) not only helped to identify limitations in the study design but also showed a weak predictive ability of moral competence concerning high-carbon consumption behavior and intention to change. Based on our findings, future media campaigns designed to increase people’s intention to reduce high-carbon behavior could focus on the modification of common cognitive disengagement strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Susanne Stoll-Kleemann & Philipp Franikowski & Susanne Nicolai, 2023. "Development and Validation of a Scale to Assess Moral Disengagement in High-Carbon Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2054-:d:1043289
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Ezra M. Markowitz & Azim F. Shariff, 2012. "Climate change and moral judgement," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 2(4), pages 243-247, April.
    6. Yves Thépaut & Maria Sakalaki & Clive Richardson, 2007. "Machiavellianism and Economic Opportunism," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-00442018, HAL.
    7. Susanne Stoll-Kleemann & Tim O’Riordan, 2020. "Revisiting the Psychology of Denial Concerning Low-Carbon Behaviors: From Moral Disengagement to Generating Social Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, January.
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    1. Henriette Rau & Susanne Nicolai & Philipp Franikowski & Susanne Stoll-Kleemann, 2024. "Distinguishing between Low- and High-Cost Pro-Environmental Behavior: Empirical Evidence from Two Complementary Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-16, March.

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