TY - JOUR
T1 - Collective self and individual choice
T2 - The effects of inter-group comparative context on environmental values and behaviour
AU - Rabinovich, Anna
AU - Morton, Thomas A.
AU - Postmes, Tom
AU - Verplanken, Bas
PY - 2012/12/1
Y1 - 2012/12/1
N2 - Self-categorization theory suggests that inter-group comparisons inform individual behaviour by affecting perceived in-group stereotypes that are internalized by group members. The present paper provides evidence for this chain of effects in the domain of environmental behaviour. In two studies, inter-group comparative context was manipulated. Study 1 found that the perceived in-group stereotype, self-stereotype (as represented by the reported value centrality), and behavioural intentions shifted away from a comparison out-group (irrespective of whether this was an upward or downward comparison). Study 1 also revealed that the effect of comparative context on individual environmental intentions was mediated by the perceived in-group stereotype and by changes in personal values. Study 2 extrapolated the observed effect on actual behavioural choices. The findings demonstrate the utility of a self-categorization approach to individual behaviour change.
AB - Self-categorization theory suggests that inter-group comparisons inform individual behaviour by affecting perceived in-group stereotypes that are internalized by group members. The present paper provides evidence for this chain of effects in the domain of environmental behaviour. In two studies, inter-group comparative context was manipulated. Study 1 found that the perceived in-group stereotype, self-stereotype (as represented by the reported value centrality), and behavioural intentions shifted away from a comparison out-group (irrespective of whether this was an upward or downward comparison). Study 1 also revealed that the effect of comparative context on individual environmental intentions was mediated by the perceived in-group stereotype and by changes in personal values. Study 2 extrapolated the observed effect on actual behavioural choices. The findings demonstrate the utility of a self-categorization approach to individual behaviour change.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870657847&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.2044-8309.2011.02022.x
DO - 10.1111/j.2044-8309.2011.02022.x
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 21507018
AN - SCOPUS:84870657847
SN - 0144-6665
VL - 51
SP - 551
EP - 569
JO - British Journal of Social Psychology
JF - British Journal of Social Psychology
IS - 4
ER -