Exploring the Influence of Social Circles on the Adoption of Pro-Environmental Behaviors
Cari Ritzenthaler and Karen L. Sirum
Citation: Ritzenthaler, C. & Sirum, K. L. (2024). Exploring the Influence of Social Circles on the Adoption of Pro-Environmental Behaviors. Journal of Ecopsychology, 4, 10, 1-4. https://joe.nationalwellbeingservice.com/volumes/volume-4-2024/volume-4-article-10/
Processing dates: Submitted: 26th March 2024; Re-submitted: 16th October 2024; Accepted: 15th November 2024; Published: 20th December 2024
Abstract
Aims: Understanding the factors that influence individuals to adopt pro-environmental behaviors is vital to increasing the actions a community takes to sustain the environment. While many individual characteristics, such as connection to nature and environmental values, can drive a person to adopt pro-environmental behaviors (Ajzen, 1991; Schultz, 2002; Whitburn et al., 2019), little is known about how social circles may influence such behavioral change. Social circles, especially related to family members, have been known to influence changes in other behaviors, such as adopting a healthy diet and exercising. Thus, social circles may similarly influence pro-environmental behavior adoption.
Methods: In this qualitative study, we interviewed eight people who were volunteers with environmental restoration organizations. We asked interviewees about those who influenced them to participate in pro-environmental behaviors, whom they influenced to adopt pro-environmental behaviors, and how they communicate with others about the environment.
Results: We found that connections with family and friends were influential in driving adoption of pro-environmental behaviors. Family, in particular, was found to have a reciprocal environmental influence as parents may influence children and vice versa. In addition, we found that environmental education may be more influential towards pro-environmental behavior adoption if events involve trusted, local experts as well as tangible examples of environmental issues and solutions.
Discussion: Families and friends can encourage those close to them to adopt proenvironmental behaviors and such social support may be reciprocal throughout one’s life. It may be possible to extend the reach of environmental education efforts if educators focus on these connections and empower attendees to share what they’ve learned at an event with family and friends.
Keywords: Pro-environmental Behaviors, Environmental Influence, Social Support, Environmental Behavior Adoption, Conservation, Sustainability
Biography
Cari Ritzenthaler is a recent graduate with a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5931-7844
Karen Sirum is an Associate Professor at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, USA https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0141-9571