Unequal means more unfair means more negative emotions? Ethical concerns and emotions about an unequal distribution of negative outcomes of a local energy project. (June 2022)
- Record Type:
- Journal Article
- Title:
- Unequal means more unfair means more negative emotions? Ethical concerns and emotions about an unequal distribution of negative outcomes of a local energy project. (June 2022)
- Main Title:
- Unequal means more unfair means more negative emotions? Ethical concerns and emotions about an unequal distribution of negative outcomes of a local energy project
- Authors:
- Huijts, Nicole M.A.
Contzen, Nadja
Roeser, Sabine - Abstract:
- Abstract: Emotions may play an important role in how citizens respond to public policies, and energy policies in particular. Yet, little insights exist into causes of those emotions. This study investigates ethical concerns as the basis of emotions. We test whether people perceive an unequal distribution of negative outcomes of a local energy project as more unfair than an equal distribution thereof and, in turn, experience stronger negative emotions (hypothesis 1) and whether these effects depend on whether the project has personal consequences or not (i.e. the self-relevance of the project; hypothesis 2). In an experiment with a 2 (equal vs. unequal distribution) by 2 (self-relevant vs. not self-relevant) design ( N = 282), we find support for hypothesis 1, but not 2. Furthermore, we find that perceived total amount of harm, an ethical concern about the total amount of negative outcomes bestowed on all people together, is also (marginally significantly) affected by the unequal distribution and relates to the emotions. We argue that justified ethical concerns are at the root of emotions about renewable energy projects and therefore emotions and their underlying ethical concerns should be considered for socially responsible as well as successful energy policy making. Highlights: Renewable energy projects may cause strong (negative) emotions. Such emotions are ethically justified if they are based on ethical concerns. A project's unequal distribution of negative outcomes ledAbstract: Emotions may play an important role in how citizens respond to public policies, and energy policies in particular. Yet, little insights exist into causes of those emotions. This study investigates ethical concerns as the basis of emotions. We test whether people perceive an unequal distribution of negative outcomes of a local energy project as more unfair than an equal distribution thereof and, in turn, experience stronger negative emotions (hypothesis 1) and whether these effects depend on whether the project has personal consequences or not (i.e. the self-relevance of the project; hypothesis 2). In an experiment with a 2 (equal vs. unequal distribution) by 2 (self-relevant vs. not self-relevant) design ( N = 282), we find support for hypothesis 1, but not 2. Furthermore, we find that perceived total amount of harm, an ethical concern about the total amount of negative outcomes bestowed on all people together, is also (marginally significantly) affected by the unequal distribution and relates to the emotions. We argue that justified ethical concerns are at the root of emotions about renewable energy projects and therefore emotions and their underlying ethical concerns should be considered for socially responsible as well as successful energy policy making. Highlights: Renewable energy projects may cause strong (negative) emotions. Such emotions are ethically justified if they are based on ethical concerns. A project's unequal distribution of negative outcomes led to perceived unfairness. Perceived unfairness led to more negative emotions. As unfairness is an ethical concern, the emotions are ethically justified. … (more)
- Is Part Of:
- Energy policy. Volume 165(2022)
- Journal:
- Energy policy
- Issue:
- Volume 165(2022)
- Issue Display:
- Volume 165, Issue 2022 (2022)
- Year:
- 2022
- Volume:
- 165
- Issue:
- 2022
- Issue Sort Value:
- 2022-0165-2022-0000
- Page Start:
- Page End:
- Publication Date:
- 2022-06
- Subjects:
- Fairness -- Justice -- Emotions -- Distribution -- Risks -- Geothermal energy
Energy policy -- Periodicals
Politique énergétique -- Périodiques
Electronic journals
333.79 - Journal URLs:
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03014215 ↗
http://www.elsevier.com/journals ↗ - DOI:
- 10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112963 ↗
- Languages:
- English
- ISSNs:
- 0301-4215
- Deposit Type:
- Legaldeposit
- View Content:
- Available online (eLD content is only available in our Reading Rooms) ↗
- Physical Locations:
- British Library DSC - 3747.720000
British Library DSC - BLDSS-3PM
British Library HMNTS - ELD Digital store - Ingest File:
- 21570.xml