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Collective self and individual choice: The effects of inter‐group comparative context on environmental values and behaviour
Author(s) -
Rabinovich Anna,
Morton Thomas A.,
Postmes Tom,
Verplanken Bas
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
british journal of social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 2044-8309
pISSN - 0144-6665
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8309.2011.02022.x
Subject(s) - psychology , categorization , social psychology , stereotype (uml) , context (archaeology) , centrality , group (periodic table) , group structure , value (mathematics) , paleontology , philosophy , chemistry , mathematics , organic chemistry , epistemology , combinatorics , machine learning , computer science , biology , psychotherapist
Self‐categorization theory suggests that inter‐group comparisons inform individual behaviour by affecting perceived in‐group stereotypes that are internalized by group members. The present paper provides evidence for this chain of effects in the domain of environmental behaviour. In two studies, inter‐group comparative context was manipulated. Study 1 found that the perceived in‐group stereotype, self‐stereotype (as represented by the reported value centrality), and behavioural intentions shifted away from a comparison out‐group (irrespective of whether this was an upward or downward comparison). Study 1 also revealed that the effect of comparative context on individual environmental intentions was mediated by the perceived in‐group stereotype and by changes in personal values. Study 2 extrapolated the observed effect on actual behavioural choices. The findings demonstrate the utility of a self‐categorization approach to individual behaviour change.