Connection Between Beliefs and Gender and the Impact on Environmental Behaviours
Connection Between Beliefs and Gender and the
Impact on Environmental Behaviours
Among researchers, there have been several investigations regarding environmentally responsible behaviour or pro-environmental behaviour (Mobley, Vagias, & DeWard, 2009). Pro-environmental behaviour refers to a conscious pursuit to diminish the negative affect of an individual’s actions and lifestyle on the environment (Kollmuss & Agyeman, 2008).These investigations have exposed relationships between pro-environmental behaviour and beliefs and have also determined a gender connection (McKercher, Pang, & Prideaux, 2011). However, there are discrepancies concerning the degree to which behaviours can be influenced by beliefs and gender (Mobley et al., 2009).
Several studies (e.g., Patchen, 2006; Mckercher et al., 2009; Zelezny, Chua, & Aldrich, 2000) review the gender connection and conclude that females express significantly larger environmental concern than males. Contrastingly, some studies (e.g., Hunter, Hatch, & Johnson, 2004; Xiao & Hong, 2010) determined that women conveyed equal or lesser levels of environmental concern than men. Studies have also been undertaken to explore the connection between environmentalism and ecological beliefs. Lopez and Cuervo-Arango (2008) explored the influence of beliefs on responsible environmental behaviour. Alternatively, Kollmuss and Agyeman (2008) determined that beliefs do not directly influence responsible environmental behaviour.
According to Mckercher et al. our environmental behaviours are influenced by many factors, namely gender. During the cross-gender study carried out by Mckercher et al. it was determined that women are socialised to be more caring and sympathetic and to acknowledge the concerns of others over their own. It is therefore suggested that women display higher environmental concern, attitudes and behaviours than men (Mckercher et al., 2011). Their survey findings illustrate that women expressed stronger
Impact on Environmental Behaviours
Among researchers, there have been several investigations regarding environmentally responsible behaviour or pro-environmental behaviour (Mobley, Vagias, & DeWard, 2009). Pro-environmental behaviour refers to a conscious pursuit to diminish the negative affect of an individual’s actions and lifestyle on the environment (Kollmuss & Agyeman, 2008).These investigations have exposed relationships between pro-environmental behaviour and beliefs and have also determined a gender connection (McKercher, Pang, & Prideaux, 2011). However, there are discrepancies concerning the degree to which behaviours can be influenced by beliefs and gender (Mobley et al., 2009).
Several studies (e.g., Patchen, 2006; Mckercher et al., 2009; Zelezny, Chua, & Aldrich, 2000) review the gender connection and conclude that females express significantly larger environmental concern than males. Contrastingly, some studies (e.g., Hunter, Hatch, & Johnson, 2004; Xiao & Hong, 2010) determined that women conveyed equal or lesser levels of environmental concern than men. Studies have also been undertaken to explore the connection between environmentalism and ecological beliefs. Lopez and Cuervo-Arango (2008) explored the influence of beliefs on responsible environmental behaviour. Alternatively, Kollmuss and Agyeman (2008) determined that beliefs do not directly influence responsible environmental behaviour.
According to Mckercher et al. our environmental behaviours are influenced by many factors, namely gender. During the cross-gender study carried out by Mckercher et al. it was determined that women are socialised to be more caring and sympathetic and to acknowledge the concerns of others over their own. It is therefore suggested that women display higher environmental concern, attitudes and behaviours than men (Mckercher et al., 2011). Their survey findings illustrate that women expressed stronger