Hope Aimie L B, Jones Christopher R, Webb Thomas L, Watson Matthew T, Kaklamanou Daphne
University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
The University of Sheffield, UK.
Environ Behav. 2018 May;50(4):401-425. doi: 10.1177/0013916517706730. Epub 2017 May 3.
Compensatory green beliefs (CGBs) reflect the idea that a pro-environmental behavior (e.g., recycling) can off-set the negative effects of an environmentally detrimental behavior (e.g., driving). It is thought that CGBs might help explain why people act in ways that appear to contradict their pro-environmental intentions, and inconsistently engage in pro-environmental behaviors. The present study sought to investigate the nature and use of CGBs. A series of interviews suggested that participants endorsed CGBs to (a) reduce feelings of guilt with respect to (the assumed or actual) negative environmental impact of their actions and (b) defend their green credentials in social situations. Participants also justified detrimental behaviors on the basis of higher loyalties (e.g., family's needs), or the perceived difficulty of performing more pro-environmental actions. In addition to shedding light on how, when, and why people might hold and use CGBs, the research also provides new insight into how CGBs should be assessed.
补偿性绿色信念（CGBs）反映了这样一种观点，即一种环保行为（如回收利用）可以抵消一种对环境有害行为（如开车）的负面影响。人们认为，补偿性绿色信念可能有助于解释为什么人们的行为方式似乎与他们的环保意图相矛盾，并且不一致地参与环保行为。本研究旨在调查补偿性绿色信念的本质和用途。一系列访谈表明，参与者认可补偿性绿色信念是为了：（a）减轻对其行为（假定的或实际的）负面环境影响的内疚感；（b）在社交场合中维护自己的环保声誉。参与者还基于更高的忠诚度（如家庭需求）或认为更环保行为实施难度大，为有害行为进行辩解。除了揭示人们持有和使用补偿性绿色信念的方式、时间和原因外，该研究还为如何评估补偿性绿色信念提供了新的见解。
