The impact of normative misperception on low-carbon travel: A chain mediation model
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: People often mistakenly estimate the behavioral norms of others in a group, which, in turn, affects their own decision-making behavior. We conducted a study with 1,980 Chinese participants, and found that people generally underestimated others ' low-carbon travel behavior, representing a normative misperception. Further, normative misperception negatively predicted individuals ' own low-carbon travel, as the more people underestimated others ' lowcarbon travel, the less likely they themselves were to opt for lowcarbon travel. In addition, both personal norms and environmental responsibility independently mediated the link between normative misperception and low-carbon travel. Finally, personal norms and environmental responsibility acted as chain mediators of the relationship between normative misperception and low-carbon travel. This study has clarified the behavioral mechanism of lowcarbon travel from the perspective of normative misperception, enhancing understanding of how to promote low-carbon travel.
DOI: 10.2224/sbp.14977
Authors: Tao Jiang, Qin Sun, Qing Yan
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7139999097