Culture and pro-environmental behavior

Curr Opin Psychol. 2024 Dec 27:62:101986. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2024.101986. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the significant role of culture in human responses to global environmental challenges. Specifically, it discusses three thematic clusters of research, which demonstrate that: (i) culture can influence pro-environmental behavior through shaping values and moderating the relationship between psychological determinants and such behavior; (ii) perceptions of nature and its relationships with humans vary across cultures; and (iii) consumption behaviors are often shaped by practices that constitute social life within communities. Evidence from these research clusters suggests that understanding cultural dynamics is essential for designing effective, context-sensitive interventions aimed at driving sustainability transitions. Future research should further explore the interplay between cultural and non-cultural contextual factors and consider the perspectives of underrepresented regions.

Keywords: Culture; Human–nature relationships; Nature; Pro-environmental behavior; Social practices.

Publication types

  • Review