A pilot study on the relationship between personal values and pro-environmental behavior

This pilot study is aimed at studying the relationship between personal values and environmental behavior of adults. The relevance of the topic is determined by the fact that environmental problems require an understanding of the psychological factors that motivate a person to take responsible action. The purpose of the study is to determine which values are associated with a willingness to follow eco–friendly habits in everyday life. The basic idea is that values are stable internal guidelines and can influence human behavior. The scientific significance of the work lies in clarifying the role of personal values as possible predictors of eco-friendly behavior. The practical significance is related to the possibility of using the results in educational programs and projects aimed at developing an ecological culture. The research methodology included an online survey. The values questionnaire was used. Schwartz and scales for assessing environmental behavior. The data was analyzed using the correlation method. The results showed that certain values, such as universalism, responsibility, and a focus on helping others, have a statistically significant association with eco-friendly actions. The findings confirm that value orientations can serve as an important psychological basis for environmentally responsible behavior.

1. Schwartz S.H. (2012) Universal human values: Theory, measurement, and applications // Psicologia Politica, no. 35, pp. 1–26. (English).

2. Ajzen I. (1991) The Theory of Planned Behavior Frequently Asked Questions Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, vol. 50, pp. 179–211. (English).

3. Clayton S., Myers G. (2015) Conservation psychology: Understanding and promoting human care for nature. Wiley-Blackwell. 288 p. (English).

4. Stern P.C., Dietz T., Guagnano G.A. (1999) The new ecological paradigm in social-psychological context // Environment and Behavior, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 425–451. (English).

5. Krjazh I.V. (2013) Psihologija smyslovoj reguljacii jekologicheski relevantnogo povedenija: dis. ... d-ra psihol. nauk. Har’kov. 435 p. (Russian).

6. Krjazh I.V. (2013) Rol’ jekologicheskoj pozicii lichnosti v reguljacii jekologicheski znachimyh dejstvij // Aktual’sh problemi psihologi: Zbirnik naukovih prac’ Institutu psihologi imeni G.S. Kostjuka NAPN Ukrashi. Zhitomir. Vol. VII. Ekolopchna psiholopja. Vyp. 33. P. 268–277. (Ukrainian).