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Time perspective and environmental engagement: A meta‐analysis
Author(s) -
Milfont Taciano L.,
Wilson Jessie,
Diniz Pollyane
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.75
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1464-066X
pISSN - 0020-7594
DOI - 10.1080/00207594.2011.647029
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , psychology , time perspective , meta analysis , social psychology , medicine , artificial intelligence , computer science
Environmental issues entail both a social conflict (private vs. public interests) and a temporal conflict (short‐ vs. long‐term interests). This paper focuses on the role temporal concerns play in influencing environmental engagement by quantitatively integrating results of studies that assessed the associations between time perspective and proenvironmental attitudes and behaviors. The meta‐analysis included a total of 19 independent samples and 6,301 participants from seven countries (Australia, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, and the United States). Results showed that the associations between time perspective and proenvironmental behaviors were higher than those for proenvironmental attitudes. Supporting predictions, the associations between future time perspective and proenvironmental behaviors were strong and nontrivial compared to those for the combined past–present time perspective. The findings indicate that future time perspective seems to play an important role in influencing individuals’ attitudes and behaviors towards the environment. Implications of the findings for theory and practice are discussed.