From feeling to doing in social dilemmas: Emotional and behavioral responses to climate change.
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: This article examines the climate crisis through the lens of a social dilemma, presenting three key propositions. Proposition 1 posits that climate change involves a conflict between short-term self-interest and longer-term collective interest, influencing both affective and behavioral responses. Our analysis connects social dilemmas with emotion theory to suggest when, how, and which individual and collective-level emotions may arise when facing climate change. Proposition 2 categorizes these emotions into two types: understanding-oriented emotions, which are mental states focused on the broader circumstances and impacts of the climate crisis, and action-oriented emotions, which are moral and social emotions guiding future actions. Proposition 3 asserts that “feeling is for doing,” as we draw on existing research to identify affective states that may promote cooperative, proenvironmental behavior. Acknowledging that evidence is mixed and other factors influence the transition from emotion to action, we hope to highlight key directions and inspire future research on the role of emotions in fostering proenvironmental behavior.
Source: Motivation Science
DOI: 10.1037/mot0000362
Authors: Nikoletta Georgiou, Paul A. M. Van Lange
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
Funder: State Scholarships Foundation
OpenAlex ID: W4401514604