This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Guagnano, G. A. Articles by Dietz, T. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Influences on Attitude-Behavior Relationships

A Natural Experiment with Curbside Recycling

Northern Virginia Survey Research Laboratory at George Mason University

Paul C. Stern

Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Change and the Committee on Risk Characterization at the National Research

Thomas Dietz

George Mason University

A simple model was tested in which attitudinal factors and external conditions act in combination to influence behavior. The model predicts that behavior is a monotonic function of attitudes and external conditions and that the strength of the attitude-behavior relationship is a curvilinear function of the strength of the external conditions, with extreme values setting boundary conditions on the applicability of attitude models. The model also allows for interactions in which perceived costs enter into the attitudinal process. Evidence is taken from a natural experiment in recycling in which collection bins for curbside pickup had been provided to 26% of 257 survey respondents. Consistent with the model, main effects of attitudes and external conditions were found, as was an interaction effect in which the Schwartz norm-activation model predicted recycling behavior only for households without bins. Interactive models such as the one developed here can yield better policy-relevant analyses by clarifying the relationships between external and internal influences on behavior change.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Worthy Modern Institutions, Phenomenal Dissociations, and Destructiveness Toward Humans and the Environment Organization Environment, June 1, 2008; 21(2): 148 - 170. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. Vicente and E. Reis Factors influencing households' participation in recycling. Waste Management Research, April 1, 2008; 26(2): 140 - 146. [Abstract] [PDF]

				G. W. Evans, G. Brauchle, A. Haq, R. Stecker, K. Wong, and E. Shapiro Young Children's Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors Environment and Behavior, September 1, 2007; 39(5): 635 - 658. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Barr Factors Influencing Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors: A U.K. Case Study of Household Waste Management Environment and Behavior, July 1, 2007; 39(4): 435 - 473. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Oreg and T. Katz-Gerro Predicting Proenvironmental Behavior Cross-Nationally: Values, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and Value-Belief-Norm Theory Environment and Behavior, July 1, 2006; 38(4): 462 - 483. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. M. Kalinowski, G. D. Lynne, and B. Johnson Recycling as a Reflection of Balanced Self-Interest: A Test of the Metaeconomics Approach Environment and Behavior, May 1, 2006; 38(3): 333 - 355. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J.-D. M. Saphores, H. Nixon, O. A. Ogunseitan, and A. A. Shapiro Household Willingness to Recycle Electronic Waste: An Application to California Environment and Behavior, March 1, 2006; 38(2): 183 - 208. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Parnell and O. P. Larsen Informing the Development of Domestic Energy Efficiency Initiatives: An Everyday Householder-Centered Framework Environment and Behavior, November 1, 2005; 37(6): 787 - 807. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. M. Collins and S. M. Chambers Psychological and Situational Influences on Commuter-Transport-Mode Choice Environment and Behavior, September 1, 2005; 37(5): 640 - 661. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. W. Schultz, V. V. Gouveia, L. D. Cameron, G. Tankha, P. Schmuck, and M. Franek Values and their Relationship to Environmental Concern and Conservation Behavior Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, July 1, 2005; 36(4): 457 - 475. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. B. Corbett Altruism, Self-Interest, and the Reasonable Person Model of Environmentally Responsible Behavior Science Communication, June 1, 2005; 26(4): 368 - 389. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. O. D. Valle, E. Rebelo, E. Reis, and J. Menezes Combining Behavioral Theories to Predict Recycling Involvement Environment and Behavior, May 1, 2005; 37(3): 364 - 396. [Abstract] [PDF]

				P. O. do Valle, E. Reis, J. Menezes, and E. Rebelo Behavioral Determinants of Household Recycling Participation: The Portuguese Case Environment and Behavior, July 1, 2004; 36(4): 505 - 540. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. Diekmann and P. Preisendorfer Green and Greenback: The Behavioral Effects of Environmental Attitudes in Low-Cost and High-Cost Situations Rationality and Society, November 1, 2003; 15(4): 441 - 472. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. G. Sibley and J. H. Liu Differentiating Active and Passive Littering: A Two-Stage Process Model of Littering Behavior in Public Spaces Environment and Behavior, May 1, 2003; 35(3): 415 - 433. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Gatersleben, L. Steg, and C. Vlek Measurement and Determinants of Environmentally Significant Consumer Behavior Environment and Behavior, May 1, 2002; 34(3): 335 - 362. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. Davies, G. R. Foxall, and J. Pallister Beyond the Intention-Behaviour Mythology: An Integrated Model of Recycling Marketing Theory, March 1, 2002; 2(1): 29 - 113. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Hunecke, A. Blobaum, E. Matthies, and R. Hoger Responsibility and Environment: Ecological Norm Orientation and External Factors in the Domain of Travel Mode Choice Behavior Environment and Behavior, November 1, 2001; 33(6): 830 - 852. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Hartig, F. G. Kaiser, and P. A. Bowler Psychological Restoration in Nature as a Positive Motivation for Ecological Behavior Environment and Behavior, July 1, 2001; 33(4): 590 - 607. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. A. Corraliza and J. Berenguer Environmental Values, Beliefs, and Actions: A Situational Approach Environment and Behavior, November 1, 2000; 32(6): 832 - 848. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Christopher An Exploration of the "Reflex" in Reflexive Modernity: The Rational and Prerational Social Causes of the Affinity for Ecological Consciousness Organization Environment, December 1, 1999; 12(4): 357 - 400. [Abstract] [PDF]

				D. Scott Equal Opportunity, Unequal Results: Determinants of Household Recycling Intensity Environment and Behavior, March 1, 1999; 31(2): 267 - 290. [Abstract] [PDF]

				T. Dietz, P. C. Stern, and G. A. Guagnano Social Structural and Social Psychological Bases of Environmental Concern Environment and Behavior, July 1, 1998; 30(4): 450 - 471. [Abstract]

				A. Diekmann and P. Preisendorfer ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR: DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN ASPIRATIONS AND REALITY Rationality and Society, February 1, 1998; 10(1): 79 - 102. [Abstract]

				O. Wiidegren The New Environmental Paradigm and Personal Norms Environment and Behavior, January 1, 1998; 30(1): 75 - 100. [Abstract]

				J. Thogersen Recycling and Morality: A Critical Review of the Literature Environment and Behavior, July 1, 1996; 28(4): 536 - 558. [Abstract]

				R. De Young Some Psychological Aspects of Reduced Consumption Behavior: The Role of Intrinsic Satisfaction and Competence Motivation Environment and Behavior, May 1, 1996; 28(3): 358 - 409. [Abstract]

				P. C. Stern, T. Dietz, and G. A. Guagnano The New Ecological Paradigm in Social-Psychological Context Environment and Behavior, November 1, 1995; 27(6): 723 - 743. [Abstract]