Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Through the empathy-altruism hypothesis, Batson predicts empathetic concern influences altruistic motivation, which may lead to helping behaviors (Batson et al., 2014). Environmental researchers borrowed this idea and have produced a rich literature showing that empathy is associated with pro-environmental behaviors (PEB). This poster describes an ongoing literature review of this area of research. Our preliminary results show that empathy and associated constructs consistently predict PEB, although these relations are often of modest size. However, the literature is somewhat theoretically confused with no overarching explanation of why these relations exist. We hope to remedy this in our review by examining whether the specific factors that Batson found essential in the human altruism literature also apply to the environmental literature. For instance, the human altruism literature shows that empathy predicts helping only when the potential target is perceived as needy and deserving. Our review will examine whether this and other features of Batson’s theory help sharpen the predictions in the environmental literature. To accomplish this, we are conducting a systematic search of both PsycInfo and Google Scholar using pre-specified search terms with strict criteria about eligible studies.
Recommended Citation
Arehart, Anna, "248-Empathy and Pro-environmental Behaviors: Investigating Human Altruism and its Link to Pro-environmental Behaviors" (2024). GREAT Day Posters. 69.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2024/posters-2024/69
248-Empathy and Pro-environmental Behaviors: Investigating Human Altruism and its Link to Pro-environmental Behaviors
Through the empathy-altruism hypothesis, Batson predicts empathetic concern influences altruistic motivation, which may lead to helping behaviors (Batson et al., 2014). Environmental researchers borrowed this idea and have produced a rich literature showing that empathy is associated with pro-environmental behaviors (PEB). This poster describes an ongoing literature review of this area of research. Our preliminary results show that empathy and associated constructs consistently predict PEB, although these relations are often of modest size. However, the literature is somewhat theoretically confused with no overarching explanation of why these relations exist. We hope to remedy this in our review by examining whether the specific factors that Batson found essential in the human altruism literature also apply to the environmental literature. For instance, the human altruism literature shows that empathy predicts helping only when the potential target is perceived as needy and deserving. Our review will examine whether this and other features of Batson’s theory help sharpen the predictions in the environmental literature. To accomplish this, we are conducting a systematic search of both PsycInfo and Google Scholar using pre-specified search terms with strict criteria about eligible studies.