KOREASCHOLAR

Scientific evidence indicates that a significant human contribution towards the world’s climate change. Human lifestyles and behavior need changing to reach the goal of environmental sustainability. Previous studies indicate that fear or threat appeals in advertising campaigns can lead to changes in attitude and, subsequently, behavioral changes. The main aim of this study is to examine the impact of viewing different degrees of fear appeals of climate change on an individual’s intention to engage in pro-environmental behavior. In addition, the possible factors influencing an individual’s intention to engage in pro-environmental behavior may vary after viewing narratives of different degrees of fear-inspiring climate change are also examined. A total of 217 undergraduate students were assigned to one of the experimental conditions: no fear appeal, low-fear appeal, and high-fear appeal. The fear manipulation check results are consistent with the prominent hypothesis of the drive theory model, an inverted-U-shaped response pattern to increasing levels of fear. The results of ANOVA tests indicate that the participants who view the no-fear appeal text will have more intention of engaging in pro-environmental behavior than their counterparts, those who view the high-fear appeal text. The results of multiple regression equation analysis reveal that an individual’s moral obligations play an important determinant of his/her intention to engage in pro-environmental behavior across both conditions. But in the high-fear appeal condition, an individual’s perception of collective efficacy also plays an important determinant. Practical implications for pro-environmental behaviors are also provided.

• Mei-Fang Chen(Tatung University)