Environmental Locus of Control, Sympathy, and Proenvironmental Behavior: A Test of Geller’s Actively Caring Hypothesis

Geller hypothesized a mediational model of environmentally responsible behavior. Specifically, Geller proposed that “actively caring,” a component of altruism, mediated the relation between environmentally responsible behaviors and personality factors related to self-affirmation (i.e., self-esteem,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment and behavior 1999-05, Vol.31 (3), p.338-353
Main Authors: Allen, James B., Ferrand, Jennifer L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altruism
Behaviourism
Caring
E. Scott Geller
Environmental behaviour
Locus of control
Personality
Personality traits
Relationship
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Summary:Geller hypothesized a mediational model of environmentally responsible behavior. Specifically, Geller proposed that “actively caring,” a component of altruism, mediated the relation between environmentally responsible behaviors and personality factors related to self-affirmation (i.e., self-esteem, belonging, and personal control). The present study tested this hypothesis. Participants completed a lengthy questionnaire that assessed their levels of self-esteem, belonging and personal control, dispositional levels of actively caring (i.e., sympathy for others), and environmentally friendly behaviors. Results were largely consistent with Geller’s model. Specifically, sympathy, the proxy measure of actively caring used in this study, mediated the relation between personal control and environmentally friendly behaviors.
ISSN:0013-9165
1552-390X
DOI:10.1177/00139169921972137