An Information-Theoretic Approach to Modeling the Major Drivers of Pro-Environmental Behavior

Abstract

Researchers attempting to identify and understand the so-called drivers of public concern for the environment and engagement in pro-environmental behaviors have conceptualized and modeled numerous theoretical constructs. This has made it hard to establish generalities across studies regarding the causal ordering of relationships between these constructs. This study reviews some of the major constructs employed within this area of research, and uses an information-theoretic approach to assess six models that position these constructs within different causal orderings to predict general pro-environmental behavior (G-PEB). The results indicate that environmental values and general environmental beliefs are distal drivers of engagement in G-PEB, and form the foundation—or primary motivational base—for environmental identity, concerns, attitudes, and norms that—directly and more proximally—influence this broad set of behaviors. This suggests that effective policies and interventions need to target both the proximal and distal influences on behavior, as well as the contexts and structures that support shared values and primary beliefs within a society or culture. Recommendations for ways that researchers could better understand individuals and their behaviors impacting the environment more deeply, both systematically and socio-ecologically, are suggested.