The Prosocial Driver of Ecological Behavior: The Need for an Integrated Approach to Prosocial and Environmental Education

Alexander Neaman, Pamela Pensini, Sarah Zabel, Siegmar Otto, Dmitry S. Ermakov, Elvira A. Dovletyarova, Elliot Burnham, Mónica Castro and Claudia Navarro-Villarroel
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Alexander Neaman: Laboratory of Bioresource Potential of Coastal Area, Institute for Advanced Studies, Sevastopol State University, 299053 Sevastopol, Russia
Pamela Pensini: School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
Sarah Zabel: Institute of Education, Work and Society, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Siegmar Otto: Institute of Education, Work and Society, University of Hohenheim, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany
Dmitry S. Ermakov: Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198 Moscow, Russia
Elvira A. Dovletyarova: Department of Landscape Design and Sustainable Ecosystems, Peoples Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St., 117198 Moscow, Russia
Elliot Burnham: Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2260000, Chile
Mónica Castro: Escuela de Agronomía, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Quillota 2260000, Chile
Claudia Navarro-Villarroel: Área de Educación, Instituto de Estadística, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso 2340000, Chile

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Although both altruistic and ecological behaviors can be considered prosocially driven behaviors, our psychological understanding of what motivates action in either the human or ecological domains is still in its infancy. We aimed to assess connection to nature and connection to humans as mediators of the relationship between prosocial propensity and prosocial behaviors in both the ecological and human domains. This study used empathy as an indicator of an individual’s prosocial propensity. The data for the study was collected through surveys in Russian (841 participants) and Spanish (418 participants). The study demonstrated that an individual’s prosocial propensity can be actioned into ecological (nature-related) behavior through connection to nature. Similarly, an individual’s prosocial propensity can be actioned into altruistic (human-related) behavior through connection to humans. However, the present study also demonstrates that an individual’s prosocial propensity can be directed to humans through a connection to nature. Thus, altruistic and ecological behaviors are two related classes of behavior, driven by the same prosocial propensity of the individual. This study is an important step towards generating scientific support for the claim that traditionally separate teaching of prosocial and environmental subjects should be combined into a single educational approach. An integrated approach will contribute to a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary effort to create a society that is both ecologically and socially sustainable.

Keywords: connectedness to nature; connectedness to humanity; pro-environmental behavior; prosocial behavior; sustainable behavior; altruism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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