Poster Board # 1.1 Anthropomorphizing Nature: Implications for Conservation Ethics Kim-Pong Tam The present research investigates whether anthropomorphizing nature has any effect on people’s conservation behavior. Findings from a series of survey studies and experiments confirm the existence of this effect, and reveal some underlying mediating mechanisms. These findings bear important implications for anthropomorphism research, conservation psychology, and environmental education. Poster Board # 1.2 Responding to environmental identity threat Kathryne Van Tyne & Kimberly Rios Two studies investigate how individuals respond to public threats to their environmental identity. Results suggest that individuals will attempt to restore their public image by signaling pro-environmental attitudes to others (Study 1), unless they are first provided with an alternative means of affirming their environmental identity (Study 2). Poster Board # 2 Animated displays of resource use designed to instill empathy promote chance in perceived scope of responsibility and causality Evan D. Tincknell, Christopher Canning, Cindy M. Frantz, & John E. Petersen We hypothesized that exposure to a web-based model of a city animated with real-time data on water and electricity flows could expand the breadth of connections made between resource-use decisions and their implications. Results suggest the scope of these perceptions is malleable in response to the visual delivery of information. Poster Board # 3 Humane science: Using art and science in collaborative problem solving for a sustainable future Edgar Cardenas & Ben A. Minteer How can we limit tunnel vision and enhance originality in problem solving when dealing with complex sustainability problems? Engaging artists and scientists in collaborations can lead to increased creativity. Preliminary research establishes the unique benefits of joining art and science and pilots a protocol for collaboration. Poster Board # 4 Giving guilt and piggish pride: Differential effects of self-conscious emotions on cooperation in social dilemmas Samantha L. Neufeld, Michelle N. Shiota, & Susan E. Ledlow Surprisingly little work has addressed the implications of emotions for behavior in shared resource dilemmas. In a social trap game with real money, experimentally elicited guilt and pride had opposing (relative to neutral) and significantly different effects, with guilt reducing and pride increasing consumption of a limited resource. Poster Board # 5 Integrating residents into a community that is concerned about climate change Joseph Schmitt, M. Baylee Moore, Mica Estrada & P. Wesley Schultz Many programs increase knowledge about climate change science, but do not increase engagement in climate change mitigation behaviors. Results indicated that while science knowledge was significantly related to engagement in conservation behaviors, this relationship was mediated by efficacy, identification with a concerned community, and internalization of concerned community values. Poster Board # 6.1 Reducing disposable water bottles on a university campus: A behavioral intervention Carla S. Esteves & Amanda L. Mahaffey Based on normative evidence from our laboratory, we will conduct a longitudinal behavioral intervention to reduce campus disposable bottled water consumption. With the intervention of campus water fountains and reusable water bottles, we will track university students for one year - measuring behavioral and attitudinal change, personality, and Facebook interaction. Poster Board #6.2 Motives to conserve energy: Could focusing on financial benefits backfire? Anna Berlin, Samantha L. Neufeld, & Michelle N. Shiota What motivates efforts to conserve energy? Although interventions often emphasize saving money, this large-scale, community-based study found that greater financial motivation (relative to other motives) was negatively associated with efforts to conserve. Implications for intervention are discussed. Poster Board # 7 Is climate change a justice issue? Psychological impacts of perceiving harms toward people, animals and the planet Brittany Bloodhart & Janet K. Swim This research examined the psychological mechanisms involved when perceiving harms from climate change. Results from two studies found that high self-transcendence values, empathic perspective taking, and psychological sensitization led to pro-environmental outcomes such as increased empathy, greater donations to charities and willingness to engage in behavior and support policies. Poster Board # 8 Exposure to nature increases cooperation in a commons dilemma Raelyne L. Dopko & John M. Zelenski We examined whether nature exposure could increase cooperation in an environmentally themed commons dilemma (fishing). Participants were randomly assigned to view either a nature or urban video before engaging in the commons dilemma. Overall, the hypothesis was supported offering further insight into managing environmental resources more effectively. Poster Board # 9 Changes in connectedness with nature over time: A longitudinal analysis Coral M. Bruni, Jaquelyn Schroeder, Kelli A. O’Merry, & P. Wesley Schultz A longitudinal study was conducted to examine the development of environmental attitudes. Participants completed measures of connectedness with nature. Results suggest that explicitly, connectedness with nature decreases over time; however, implicitly it increases over time. Additional analyses will be conducted to explain the variability in growth trajectories between the children. Poster Board # 10.1 The contaminating effects of mixed-motive messaging Stephanie L. Johnson & Janet K. Swim While environmental groups may add financial arguments to their messages to appeal to conservatives, the messages could back fire. The present research tests and finds that the addition of financial arguments helps conservatives’ support for environmental policies. For political moderates, however, financial arguments contaminate the effectiveness of environmental arguments. Poster Board # 10.2 Connecting citizen scientists with nature promotes nature relatedness and well-being Elizabeth K. Nisbet & Gregg Treinish Citizen science holds great potential for engaging people with the natural environment and promoting nature relatedness through experiential learning. Citizen scientists gathered evidence of grizzly bear activity using non-invasive survey techniques. Happiness and nature relatedness were significantly greater after the weekend-long excursion, suggesting new opportunities for promoting well-being and sustainability. Poster Board # 11 Scenario planning for sustainability: Enhancing participation through understanding social influence Sandra L. Rodegher & Cynthia Selin Engaging diverse stakeholders in democratic, participative processes is frequently a requisite for sustainability. Under conditions of uncertainty, scenario methods are used, but does social influence impinge on the fairness of such deliberations? The current study employs participant observation during a scenario planning session to identify potentially harmful sources of sway. Poster Board # 12 Strategies that promote and reduce environmental stewardship Viviane Seyranian This study aimed to promote water conservation in residential households by either evoking social identity in communication or providing water saving tips. Households in the information condition significantly increased their water usage over time whereas those in the social identity condition showed a pattern of reduction over time. Poster Board # 13.1 The greening of religion: Green Leaders in religious communities Nathan Geiger, Janet Swim, Wenpin Tsai, & Leland Glenna Environmentalists are increasingly speaking up in religious communities. They could, however, be viewed as unlikeable extremists. Yet, we found that members nominated as Green Leaders were not only more concerned about climate change and performed more pro-environmentally behaviors than others, but were also central to the church social network. Poster Board # 13.2 Free riding and punishment in an energy sharing context: Effects of anonymity and affect Caroline Leygue, Anya Skatova, Alexa Spence, & Eamonn Ferguson We explore free riding and altruistic punishment theories in an energy sharing situation. Participants read a scenario where one person uses too much energy and saw different types of energy displays. Increasing anonymity in the displays reduces sanction and free riding (energy use) intentions. These effects are mediated by emotions. Poster Board # 14.1 "Greening" Workplaces as a Vehicle for Teaching Conservation Psychology Alison L. O'Malley Some organizations are turning to selection systems that assess job applicants on their environmental values. How do students react to the prospect of such selection methods? I summarize how I incorporate multi-level industrial/organizational perspectives into my core conservation psychology course in order to foster student engagement and deep learning. Poster Board # 14.2 Because it looks right! The influence of ethical certification marks on consumers´ on-package attention and evaluation Vera Herédia Colaço, Rita Coelho do Vale, & Sofia Villas-Boas The present research investigated how consumers with different Fair Trade (FT) knowledge levels interpret packaging featuring FT marks. Results indicated that low FT-knowledge consumers rarely pay attention to FT marks but for moderate FT-knowledge consumers the processing of on-package information featuring FT marks is moderated by a familiar brand name. |