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Pro-Environmental Behavior Triggers Moral Inference, Not Licensing by Observers.
- Source :
-
Environment & Behavior . Jan/Feb2023, Vol. 55 Issue 1/2, p74-98. 25p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Several studies have shown that moral licensing by observers makes observers more lenient in their judgment of subsequent immoral behaviors committed by a person. Environmental behavior is generally perceived as moral behavior, but it is not known whether it can trigger moral licensing by observers. In two pre-registered experimental laboratory studies (N 1 = 198, N 2 = 501), we have tested whether prior engagement in pro-environmental behavior triggers licensing by observers and thus makes observers judge more positively actors' subsequent immoral behavior (Study 1) and their subsequent anti- and pro-environmental behaviors (Study 2). We found that people engaging in pro-environmental behavior were subsequently rated as more pro-environmental and moral, and their subsequent pro- and anti-environmental behaviors (but not outright immoral behavior) were rated as more moral by observers. As these effects also concern subsequent pro-environmental behaviors, they are broader than what licensing theory suggests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *ATTITUDES toward the environment
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00139165
- Volume :
- 55
- Issue :
- 1/2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Environment & Behavior
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 162923290
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165231163547