Connection with the natural world is a fundamental human need related to sustainable development. However, such a human need is very likely to be threatened in modern, industrialized society. This paper represents the first attempt to investigate the effect of perceived disconnection from nature on consumers’ preference for automated products (e.g., virtual assistants). Based on two surveys (276 adult participants) and one experimental study (282 adult participants), we found that perceived disconnection from nature can magnify consumers’ resistance to automated products. We further examined the underlying mechanism through moderated mediation model and revealed that consumers who perceive greater nature disconnection are less likely to perceive automated products as helpful friends, leading to a lower likelihood of adopting these products. The present research unveils this novel effect of perceived disconnection with nature on consumer behavior and provides fresh insight into how consumers’ preferences for automated products can be influenced by psychology rather than technology. Additionally, these findings can extend the research regarding sustainable consumption.
Wasting behavior has become a serious issue in modern society, especially when individuals face economic recessions and environmental problems. Despite the literature exploring cultural and sociological antecedents of wasting behavior, limited attention has been given to the role of individuals’ associated psychological states. The present research fills this gap by examining how and why stress, a psychological state pervasive among people in the modern world, can influence individuals’ wasting behavior through three studies. Pilot study and Study 1 provide evidence of the positive relationship between stress and wasting behavior. Then, Study 2 sheds light on the mechanism underlying the proposed effect by taking impaired self-control as a mediator. Lastly, the theoretical contributions and practical implications of this research are discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.