Positive anticipated affective reactions increase pro-environmental behavior, data files

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Affective reactions have been linked to pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs), but it is unclear if positive (warm glow, hope) or negative (worry, hopelessness) is more impactful in motivating action. In this pre-registered study we used a unique longitudinal dataset from a Swedish sample to reveal that positive affect predicts more engagement in PEBs, and negative affect predicts less engagement in PEBs. A mediation model also suggests that anticipated (i.e. expected feelings of) positive affect is related to past pro-environmental engagement and could partly predict future PEBs. Hence, affective reactions may be one way to increase intrinsic motivation for a more sustainable lifestyle.

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