Perspective-taking with affected others to promote climate change mitigation

authored by

Ann Kathrin Koessler, Nicolai Heinz, Stefanie Engel

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.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Environmental Planning
Environmental Behaviour and Planning
Leibniz Research Centre Energy 2050

External Organisation(s)

Osnabrück University
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

Type

Article

Journal

Frontiers in psychology

Volume

14

ISSN

1664-1078

Publication date

28.09.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychology(all)

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 13 - Climate Action

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1225165 (Access: Open)