Caring for Things Helps Humans Grow: Effects of Courteous Interaction with Things on Pro-Environmental Behavior

Hiroko Kamide and Tatsuo Arai
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Hiroko Kamide: Institute of Innovation for Future Society, Nagoya University, Furocho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
Tatsuo Arai: Center for Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, 1-5-1 Chofugaoka, Chofu, Tokyo 182-8585, Japan

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-25

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of courteous interaction with familiar objects on pro-environmental behavior and well-being. We explored the process of interaction with everyday objects, such as pens and glasses in a preliminary study ( N = 64), and to reveal two aspects that define these interactions, namely active care for objects and awareness of learning from the interaction ( N = 687; Study 1). The more people cared for and learned through their interactions with a particular object, the more they perceived a connectedness to it ( N = 195; Study 2). Furthermore, caring for and learning with familiar objects promoted various environmentally conscious behaviors and contributed to individual well-being (Study 3; N = 600). In this way, we discussed the relationship between interaction with everyday objects, the aspects of these interactions, and the influence of these interactions on an individual’s perspective toward the wider environment.

Keywords: pro-environmental behavior; care; learn; courteous interaction; familiar objects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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