Projects per year
Abstract
The psychological consequences of climate change have gained significant attention in recent academic literature and contemporary media. This paper investigates the emerging phenome-non of climate anxiety, a psychological manifestation of anxiety in response to global climate change. The study explores the complex relationship between familiarity to climate action role models, climate anxiety and pro-environmental action. Our empirical approach includes two studies: one large-scale survey of 1,150 participants within the Impact Hub global network and one audio priming experiment among 169 students at Vienna University of Economics and Busi-ness. Results indicate that role models positively influence coping appraisal and climate action. Contrary to our expectations, we also find that familiarity with role models is associated with an increase in climate anxiety. Potential explanations for the unexpected rise in anxiety include the reduction of cognitive distance to the crisis through reflections about role models, the increase of threat appraisal, and the triggering of cognitive dissonance through self-comparisons. This study contributes to understanding the intricate dynamics between role models, climate anxiety, and effective communication strategies to promote climate action. Moreover, it provides further insights on the applicability of Protection Motivation Theory on environmental issues.
Translated title of the contribution | Don't look up? Der Effekt von Vorbildern auf Climate Anxiety und Climate Action |
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Original language | English |
Place of Publication | Wien |
Publication status | In preparation - 29 Nov 2024 |
Keywords
- Climate Anxiety
- Climate Action
- Role Models
- Protection Motivation Theory
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Eco-Anxiety Experiment: an empirical test of role modeling effects on behaviour and anxiety among youth
Vandor, P. (PI - Project head), Millner, R. (PI - Project head) & Reif, Y. (Contact person for administrative matters)
1/11/23 → 31/10/24
Project: Research funding