An extension of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting intention to reduce plastic use in the Philippines: Cross‐sectional and experimental evidence

Abstract

The Philippines is the third‐largest contributor to plastic waste, which is an urgent global problem that cannot be addressed without individual and collective behaviour changes. In two studies, the present research examined the antecedents of intention to reduce plastic use in the Philippines. Using a cross‐sectional online survey, Study 1 (N = 245) investigated the influence of attitudes, perceived behavioural control, two types of norms (descriptive and prescriptive norms), gender, and the interaction effect between descriptive norms and gender on Filipinos’ intention to reduce plastic use. Latent variable path analysis revealed that attitudes, perceived behavioural control, prescriptive norms, but not descriptive norms, and gender (and their interaction), significantly predicted plastic reduction intention. Explicating the non‐significant prediction of descriptive norms and gender in Study 1, a 2 (low descriptive versus high descriptive norms) × 2 (males versus females) between‐subjects experiment was conducted in Study 2 (N = 280) to investigate the interaction between descriptive norms and gender on intention to reduce plastic use. Results revealed a significant interaction effect, with descriptive norms fostering intention to reduce plastic use among males, but not among females. Implications for policies towards environmental sustainability in non‐Western countries are discussed.

Validating nature relatedness scale in the Philippines: Social responsibility as a cultural driver on why nature relatedness promotes green purchase intention

“…More importantly, the sense of duty to prioritise other people's welfare facilitated the increase in green purchase intentions among Filipinos with high levels of interdependent self‐construal more effectively compared to those with low and moderate levels. This is consistent with theory and evidence (Aruta, 2021d, 2021e; Heine, 2003; Markus and Kitayama, 1991) explaining that social‐oriented motivations are highly pronounced among people in cultures that are predominantly interdependent. Our findings elucidated that in a predominantly interdependent culture like the Philippines (Aruta et al., 2021a, 2021b), the duty to show concern for the welfare of other people could strongly motivate Filipinos to engage in pro‐environmental behaviors such as green purchasing, and that this tendency is more pronounced among those who define themselves in congruence with the predominant interdependent cultural values.…”

“…The present study argues that while nature relatedness is associated with pro‐environmental behaviors in both WEIRD and non‐WEIRD countries (Aruta, 2021c; Nisbet and Zelenski, 2013; Weber et al., 2020), the processes in which psychological processes operate are still subjected to the influence of culture (Aruta, 2021d, 2021e). This argument was anchored on self‐construal theory to explain why and how social responsibility can mediate the relationship between nature relatedness and green purchase intention.…”

Science literacy promotes energy conservation behaviors in Filipino youth via climate change knowledge efficacy: Evidence from PISA 2018

“…Additionally, this study contributed to the scarce literature on environmentalism in a non-WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic) country like the Philippines (Aruta, 2016(Aruta, , 2021b(Aruta, , 2021c(Aruta, , 2021dAruta & Paceño, 2021). Recent literature reviews (see Tam & Milfont, 2020;Tam, Leung & Clayton, 2021) pointed out the lack of studies that represent findings from non-WEIRD countries.…”

Psychometric Validation and Environmental Psychological Correlates of the Light Triad Traits

“…Second, no data on the gender of the participants were collected. Given the evidence on the role of personality in explaining gender differences in environmentalism (Aruta, 2022b; Desrochers et al, 2019), it is imperative to examine how the Light Triad traits and gender operate together in promoting pro-environmental behaviors. Third, although reliability coefficients were at an acceptable range, the reliability of Faith in Humanity and Kantianism facets were rather meager.…”