The experience sampling method, Apple iPhones, and investigating the relationship between values, subjective well-being and pro-environmental behavior

Recent research shows that humans' private-sphere behavior, or the purchase, use, and disposal of personal and household products, is responsible for exacerbating climate change, bio-diversity loss and environmental degradation. Some believe that these rates of change, loss and degradation are unsustainable. As a result a great deal of effort has been spent in attempting to identify the determinants of such behavior. While some researchers focus on attitudes and intentions as potential determinants, others focus on worldviews, social- and personal-norms, and values. Most, if not all, of this research relies on single-administration surveys, interviews and focus groups to generate its data. These methods are often subject to recall error and socially desirable responding (SDR) bias, as well as typically rely on self-reporting. The current study, as its first primary objective, tests the joint use of a new method and instrument in pro-environmental behavior research: the Experience Sampling Method (ESM) and the Apple iPhone, respectively. In four one-week periods, the study uses ESM and the Apple iPhone to examine seventy-one university sophomores' values, their subjective well-being, contributions of certain phenomena to their well-being, and finally their private-sphere pro-environmental behavior. In adopting this specific method and instrument the study also attempts to ameliorate the errors and biases mentioned above. The study tests a theoretical framework that suggests significant associations between certain value orientations and pro-environmental behavior performance.

Author dc:creator

• Bessette, Douglas Laurent

Contributors dc:contributor

• Richardson, Robert B.
• Arvai, Joseph L.
• Norris, Patricia E.

• Michigan State University
• Values
• Students--Attitudes
• iPhone (Smartphone)
• Consumer behavior
• College sophomores

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

etd:1007
isbn:9781124816449
isbn:1124816445
oclc:931849308
umi:1497570
local:Bessette_grad.msu_0128N_10602

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:d.lib.msu.edu:etd_1007