New Ways of Thinking about Environmentalism: Elaborating on Gender Differences in Environmentalism

Abstract

A review of recent research (1988 to 1998) on gender differences in environmental attitudes and behaviors found that, contrary to past inconsistencies, a clearer picture has emerged: Women report stronger environmental attitudes and behaviors than men. Additional evidence of gender differences in environmental attitudes and behaviors was also supported across age (Study 1) and across 14 countries (Study 2). As a single variable, the effect of gender on proenvironmental behavior was consistently stronger than on environmental attitudes. Explanations for gender differences in environmentalism were examined in Study 3. It was found that compared to males, females had higher levels of socialization to be other oriented and socially responsible. Implications for theory, social action, and policy are discussed.One of the ways psychologists can promote environmentalism is to understand the relationship between demographic variables and environmental attitudes and behaviors and the implications these human-environment relationships may have on theory, social action, and policy. Numerous studies have examined the relationship between demographic variables (e.g., age, education, ethnicity, socioeconomic status) and environmental attitudes and behaviors. Research on

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