Perspective-taking with affected others to promote climate change mitigation

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  • Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung (UFZ)
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OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer1225165
FachzeitschriftFrontiers in psychology
Jahrgang14
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 28 Sept. 2023

Abstract

Prior evidence suggests that perspective-taking may promote pro-environmental behavior, at least for low-cost behaviors or local environmental problems. Climate change, however, requires costly mitigation efforts and is a global problem. Thus, in this study, we examine whether perspective-taking in the context of climate change is effective in promoting mitigation behaviors, including actual and/or costly behaviors, the mechanisms through which perspective-taking works, and if the distance to the person adversely affected by climate change matters for the effect. We conducted an online experiment with a non-student sample from Germany (n = 557), utilizing a 2 × 2 factorial design, to investigate the impact of perspective-taking and distance on three outcome measures: a climate donation, signing a petition, and approval of mitigation policies. We find that perspective-taking does not promote these mitigation behaviors, yet it raises the degree perspective-takers value and – for close others – feel connected with the affected person. Exploratory analysis shows that dispositional perspective-taking and empathic concern are correlated with mitigation behaviors.

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Perspective-taking with affected others to promote climate change mitigation. / Koessler, Ann Kathrin; Heinz, Nicolai; Engel, Stefanie.
in: Frontiers in psychology, Jahrgang 14, 1225165, 28.09.2023.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Koessler AK, Heinz N, Engel S. Perspective-taking with affected others to promote climate change mitigation. Frontiers in psychology. 2023 Sep 28;14:1225165. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1225165
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