TITLE:
Intrinsic Motives of Autonomy, Self-Efficacy, and Satisfaction Associated with Two Instances of Sustainable Behavior: Frugality and Equity
AUTHORS:
Víctor Corral-Verdugo, Daniel González-Lomelí, Marisol Rascón-Cruz, Víctor O. Corral-Frías
KEYWORDS:
Frugality, Equity, Satisfaction, Autonomy, Self-Efficacy
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.7 No.5,
May
12,
2016
ABSTRACT: This
paper explores the relationship between sustainable behavior, indicated by
frugal and equitable actions, and three intrinsic motives: satisfaction, autonomy
and self-efficacy. One-hundred and seventy-three undergraduates at a Mexican
university responded to a questionnaire investigating their sustainable actions
and the intrinsic repercussions derived from those actions. Using structural
equations, a model is specified and tested, which reveals the presence of a
higher-order factor (sustainable behavior) subjacent to a high and significant
covariance between frugal and equitable behaviors. The resulting
higher-order-factor, in turn, significantly predicts the report of feelings of
satisfaction, autonomy, and self-efficacy. These findings are in line with the
idea that sustainable behavior is to a good extent self-determined through the
operation of intrinsic consequences, which instigate people’s pro-social and
pro-environmental actions.