The effects of induced emotions on environmental preferences and behavior: An experimental study

Abstract

Communication policies employed by policymakers and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often appeal to the emotions to persuade people to adopt virtuous behavior. The aim of this paper is to study the impact of induced emotions on pro-environmental behavior (PEB). We design a three-stage laboratory experiment. In the first stage, we determine the level of the subjects’ environmental awareness. In the second stage, subjects read scripts that place them in realistic hypothetical scenarios designed to induce specific emotions. We implement a 2 x 2 in-between design by varying both the valence and social dimension of the four emotional states induced: happiness, sadness, pride and shame. In the third stage, subjects play a modified dictator game in which the recipient is an environmental non-governmental organization (ENGO). We show that the emotional states of subjects can influence PEB. In particular, negative emotions significantly reduce the average individual amount of donations made to ENGOs. We also find that the precise impact of the emotional states is more complex and appears to be dependent on individuals’ characteristics and awareness for environmental issues. For instance, in positive emotional states, men donate significantly less than women. In addition, a high level of environmental awareness increases donations in subjects experiencing shame and decreases their likelihood to donate when feeling pride. Also, we observe behavioral consistency for negative emotions and rather compensatory behavior for positive emotions.

The impact of nature video exposure on pro-environmental behavior: An experimental investigation

“…In our study, we invite participants to play a modified dictator game in which the recipient is an ENGO. Consequently, we assess PEB and expect greater donations than in a standard dictator game [ 12 , 13 ]. Each participant is given a €10 endowment and must indicate the amount (an integer between €0 and €10) to donate to the ENGO (this amount was actually paid at the end of the experiment).…”

“…Behavioral-based interventions to improve PEB may be unrelated to monetary means, such as nudges which are non-binding incentives that could guide individuals’ decisions [ 8 , 9 ], e.g., through social norms [ 10 , 11 ] and emotional states [ 12 , 13 ]. Another way to promote PEB through behavioral-based interventions may rely on enhancing people’s exposure to nature.…”

Exploring determinants of formation of cognitive anchors from altruistic messages: A fuzzy DEMATEL approach

“…Emotional anchoring is embedded in the verbal and visual illustrations used during communication to enhance communication effectiveness [ 10 , 36 ]. People focus on a message when it triggers emotions [ 37 ]. Furthermore, when people are emotionally connected to a message, they relate it to their own experiences, enhancing their comprehension and retention of the message [ 12 , 38 ].…”

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“…Эмоции являются одним из основных компонентов мотивационной, ценностно-смысловой и установочной систем личности, однако изучению их непосредственного вклада в объяснение ряда поведенческих аспектов (включая поведение, направленное на защиту и сохранение окружающей среды) не уделялось должного внимания (Tapia-Fonllem et al, 2013). Существующий корпус исследований взаимосвязи эмоций, проэкологических установок и поведения достаточно противоречив, что обусловливает некоторые затруднения в постановке четких поведенческих гипотез и, соответственно, в прогнозировании поведения субъектов (Ibanez, Roussel, 2021). Отчасти это связано с тем, что и положительные, и отрицательные эмоции могут приводить к поведению, которое варьирует от антисоциальности до просоциальности (Bissing-Olson et al, 2016).…”