In:
Environment and Behavior, SAGE Publications, Vol. 50, No. 3 ( 2018-04), p. 350-372
Kurzfassung:
Do behavioral measures of ecological lifestyles reflect actual environmental impact? Three convenience samples of German adults ( N = 881) completed such a measure, the General Ecological Behavior (GEB) scale. Their household electricity consumption was self-reported (Study 1), assessed by a smart-meter (Study 2), or reported by the power company (Study 3). The latter two studies controlled for income, which can boost consumption just as it opens possibilities for behaving ecologically. Within and across studies, analyses revealed a negative association between self-reported ecological behavior and electricity consumption (−.18 ≤ rs ≤ −.22), even with adjustment for income. Furthermore, customers in a green electricity program reported more ecological engagement and consumed one third less electricity than did regular customers. These results indicate the criterion validity of the GEB scale for a highly practically relevant criterion and encourage the use of generic behavior measures in efforts to understand and foster more ecological lifestyles.
Materialart:
Online-Ressource
ISSN:
0013-9165
,
1552-390X
DOI:
10.1177/0013916517701796
Sprache:
Englisch
Verlag:
SAGE Publications
Publikationsdatum:
2018
ZDB Id:
1500133-7
ZDB Id:
280662-9
SSG:
5,2
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