Understanding the Attitude-Behaviour Gap in Pro-Environmental Actions: The Influence of Knowledge and Norms
Abstract
To determine how the relationship between pro-environmental attitudes of consumers representing Generation Z and their pro-environmental behaviours is moderated by two selected predictor variables: (a) knowledge, (b) social norms, and legal norms.
Survey research using the CAWI method was conducted in Poland on a sample of 492 respondents - representatives of Generation Z.
Neither knowledge nor social and legal norms moderate the relationship between pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours of consumers representing Generation Z. Therefore, they cannot be attributed with responsibility for reducing the gap between these two elements. However, the two predictor variables mentioned above directly strengthen pro-environmental behaviours. The significance of these variables in explaining the size of the attitude-behaviour gap is moderate; however, the achieved research results allow for drawing essential conclusions of an application nature.
Knowledge, social norms, and legal norms are significant determinants that can shape consumer attitudes and behaviours, but they are not important enough in minimising the gap between these two elements concerning Generation Z consumers and in the context of environmental protection and well-being. We conclude that their direct impact on the pro-environmental behaviour of consumers may be only short-term.
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