Sustainable Behavior and Its Antecedents: A Systematic …
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are not saving, they increase their own energy consumption, even when they were
previously conserving energy (Schultz et al. 2007).
Many studies set out to understand sustainable behavior based on the standard
consumption of individuals. The new findings in this field of study point out to a new
important dimension in the study of sustainable goods, where the mental conception
of the consumer must be studied (abstract versus concrete), as well as the benefits
associated with sustainable products (economy versus self-transcendence). The main
message of these studies consists in the demonstration of how mental representation
plays a critical role in determining how consumers react to benefits resulting from
pro-environmental and sustainable actions, which can help sustainability awareness
programs, as one can propose actions with more concrete results.
3.4 Final Considerations
This study presents the findings, mapping and analysis of publications in the scientific
databases Web of Science and Scopus on the theme of the sustainable behavior of
individuals, considering antecedents for this behavior to occur. These findings include
the analysis of 34 articles published in 26 journals with a JCR equal or higher
than 1.3.
It was perceived that most studies are based on psychological perspective to understand the guiding lines of sustainable behavior, and that values, beliefs, and worldviews are still perceived as the main influencers, from more recent perceptions based
on the evolutionary perspective of human beings. These findings help, above all, to
understand how this theme is evolving, and where the omissions still in need to be
further addressed reside.
Many studies have analyzed the behavioral perspective of individuals in relation to
specific issues of sustainability, such as: recycling, energy consumption, consumption
in general, etc. However, the antecedents listed tend to influence sustainable behavior
in general. In addition, the studies that have dealt with aspects that could influence the
reduction of consumption on the part of individuals, defend the adoption of policies
issued by governments and a closer watch of market trends, given that these are
conflicting interests (market and society), where one tends to motivate the increase
of consumption and the other to reduce it. Governments should then act as mediators
in this process. Such scientific advances show that topics involving sustainability
should not only be studied from the point of view of the individual as the sole
responsible for actions that interfere in the environment. The individual is influenced
all the time, and it is not always that psychological individual motivations can change
this process, even if consumption is addressed individually.
The studies were carried out based on surveys, or using the theoretical test model.
However, those researchers that considered empirical analyzes obtained data from
cross-sections, with the exception of one only study. In general, the limitations of
the researches carried out consist in the comprehensiveness of the same, since they
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are not saving, they increase their own energy consumption, even when they were
previously conserving energy (Schultz et al. 2007).
Many studies set out to understand sustainable behavior based on the standard
consumption of individuals. The new findings in this field of study point out to a new
important dimension in the study of sustainable goods, where the mental conception
of the consumer must be studied (abstract versus concrete), as well as the benefits
associated with sustainable products (economy versus self-transcendence). The main
message of these studies consists in the demonstration of how mental representation
plays a critical role in determining how consumers react to benefits resulting from
pro-environmental and sustainable actions, which can help sustainability awareness
programs, as one can propose actions with more concrete results.
3.4 Final Considerations
This study presents the findings, mapping and analysis of publications in the scientific
databases Web of Science and Scopus on the theme of the sustainable behavior of
individuals, considering antecedents for this behavior to occur. These findings include
the analysis of 34 articles published in 26 journals with a JCR equal or higher
than 1.3.
It was perceived that most studies are based on psychological perspective to understand the guiding lines of sustainable behavior, and that values, beliefs, and worldviews are still perceived as the main influencers, from more recent perceptions based
on the evolutionary perspective of human beings. These findings help, above all, to
understand how this theme is evolving, and where the omissions still in need to be
further addressed reside.
Many studies have analyzed the behavioral perspective of individuals in relation to
specific issues of sustainability, such as: recycling, energy consumption, consumption
in general, etc. However, the antecedents listed tend to influence sustainable behavior
in general. In addition, the studies that have dealt with aspects that could influence the
reduction of consumption on the part of individuals, defend the adoption of policies
issued by governments and a closer watch of market trends, given that these are
conflicting interests (market and society), where one tends to motivate the increase
of consumption and the other to reduce it. Governments should then act as mediators
in this process. Such scientific advances show that topics involving sustainability
should not only be studied from the point of view of the individual as the sole
responsible for actions that interfere in the environment. The individual is influenced
all the time, and it is not always that psychological individual motivations can change
this process, even if consumption is addressed individually.
The studies were carried out based on surveys, or using the theoretical test model.
However, those researchers that considered empirical analyzes obtained data from
cross-sections, with the exception of one only study. In general, the limitations of
the researches carried out consist in the comprehensiveness of the same, since they