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ABSTRACT
Based upon Erikson's theory of psychological development, the concept of environmental generativity has recently been proposed to explain the association between parental status and concern about environmental issues. The present study further explored this issue by examining the relationships between a direct measure of generativity concern and environmentally-related constructs. As hypothesized, generativity predicted preservation attitudes and self-reported ecological behaviour, even after controlling for socio-demographic variables and participants' future orientation and humanitarian values. Theoretical implications of the findings and the environmental generativity concept are discussed.
Keywords: Generativity; environmental issues; environmental generativity.
INTRODUCTION
Human behaviour is causing unprecedented environmental problems, from air and water pollution to climate change (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Tackling these problems requires understanding of the psychological factors that motivate people to show concern for, and take action on, environmental issues.
Environmental issues have long been viewed as posing social dilemmas in which individual and collective interests are at odds (Hardin, 1968). Behaviours such as commuting by car have positive consequences for the individual (e.g., convenience), but long-term negative consequences for both the individual and others (e.g., air pollution, congestion, global warming). Therefore, there is a conflict between the collective interests of society and the individual interests of its members (Van Vugt and Samuelson, 1999). Prior research investigating why people cooperate in environmental social dilemmas has mainly focused on social concerns, showing that people's identification and/or concern for others can encourage higher levels of cooperation (Joireman, 2005).
However, recent research has shown that temporal concerns are also important in environmental social dilemmas (Hendrickx, Poortinga, and van der Kooij, 2001). Individuals who care about environmental issues focus more on public and long-term interests, rather than on their immediate needs and concerns (Milfont and Gouveia, 2006). This indicates that environmental issues entail both a social conflict (private vs. public interests) and a temporal conflict (short- vs. long-term interests). Specifically, people's capacity and interest in thinking long-term has an impact on their concern for environmental issues. Future-oriented individuals (those who are aware of, and concerned about, the future consequences of their actions) tend to care and act more to address environmental challenges than present-oriented individuals (Corral-Verdugo, Fraijo-Sing, and Pinheiro, 2006; Joireman, Van Lange, and Van Vugt, 2004; Milfont...