Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior and Media Dependency Theory: Predictors of Public Pro-environmental Behavioral Intentions in Singapore

Abstract

Applying the theory of planned behavior and media dependency theory, this study examines the effects of attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control (PBC), media dependency, traditional media attention, Internet attention, and interpersonal communication on two types of pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs)-green-buying and environmental civic engagement. Regression analysis of a nationally representative survey of adult Singaporeans (N = 1168) indicated that attitude, PBC, media dependency, traditional media attention, and interpersonal communication were positively associated with green-buying. Notably, traditional media attention, as well as interpersonal communication, moderated the influence of media dependency on green-buying behavior. In addition, attitude, descriptive norms, media dependency, Internet attention, and interpersonal communication positively predicted environmental civic engagement. Findings suggest the importance of communication factors in the adoption of the two PEBs. .sg A previous version of this article won a top faculty paper (second place) award at the 2013 annual convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, Washington, DC.Environmental Communication, 2014 http://dx.

Procedural Information and Behavioral Control: Longitudinal Analysis of the Intention-Behavior Gap in the Context of Recycling

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“…Although attitude is not the same as intention or behavior, it is an important antecedent of both, and that finding suggests that useful information may indirectly facilitate behavior. Another study found that individuals who report using the media in order to better understand how to deal with environmental issues have stronger pro-environmental behavioral intention [29]. In other words, individuals who seek useful action-related information have stronger motivation to engage in related behaviors.…”

Media use, environmental beliefs, self-efficacy, and pro-environmental behavior

“…Researchers find that televised public affairs news and nature documentaries positively predict people's pro-environmental behavior (Holbert, Kwak, & Shah, 2003). Media variables including traditional media and Internet attention also positively predict green purchasing and environmental civic engagement, respectively (Ho, Liao, & Rosenthal, 2015). In addition, newspapers and web use have an impact on environmental information seeking through environmental knowledge (Zhao, 2009).…”

Reducing students’ carbon footprints using personal carbon footprint management system based on environmental behavioural theory and persuasive technology

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“…However, existing online calculators, which apply no environmental behavioural theory, provide a mere calculation function, thereby having limited influence on their users. Environmental behavioural theories argue that the determinants of an individual's environmental behaviour include his/her knowledge, awareness, attitude, behavioural control and social norms (Gatersleben, Steg, and Vlek 2002;Ho, Liao, and Rosenthal 2014;Lim et al 2013;Wan, Shen, and Yu 2014). Therefore, this study attempted to construct a new system grounded on the theories.…”