Effects of social and personal norms, and connectedness to nature, on pro-environmental behavior: A study of Western Australian protected area visitors. (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pearce, Joanna; Huang, Songshan (Sam); Dowling, Ross K.; Smith, Amanda J.
• Is Part Of: Tourism management perspectives. Volume 42(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: Connectedness to nature -- Personal norms -- Pro-environmental behavior -- Social norms; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100966
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-9736

Abstract

Abstract: Pro-environmental behaviors play a key role in the management and sustainability of parks and protected areas. An understanding of the antecedents of visitors' pro-environmental behaviors is vitally important in advancing knowledge, encouraging sustainability, and bettering management practice. This study developed and tested a behavioral model which integrated personal norms and social norms as normative influences, with connectedness to nature as a personality trait, as antecedents of pro-environmental behaviors. Data were collected through a visitor survey across three protected areas in Western Australia and analyzed via structural equation modelling. Results indicated that personal norms and connectedness to nature had a positive effect on pro-environmental behaviors, whereas social norms did not. The results highlight to protected area managers the need to consider moral obligations and personal identification with nature to foster on-site pro-environmental behaviors and encourage a positive spill-over effect off-site. Highlights: Tested integrated model of intrinsic variables on pro-environmental behaviors. Focused on specific pro-environmental behaviors within protected areas. Personal norms and connectedness to nature had positive effect on pro-environmental behaviors. Social norms had no effect on pro-environmental behaviors. Highlighted need to consider intrinsic variables in fostering of pro-environmental behaviors.