资源短缺影响亲环境行为的条件和机制：进化视角下的多水平研究

Considering that there is still a shortage of environmental resources especially per capita resources in our country, we plead for the participation in activities of environmental protection and improvement for the whole society. However, scant research attention has been paid to the effect of resource scarcity on individuals' pro-environmental behaviors. The current project aims to explore boundary conditions and mechanisms underlying the link between resource scarcity and pro-environmental behaviors via a series of studies. We will search for empirical evidence from multiple levels including macro- vs. micro- levels, behavioral- vs. physiological- levels, as well as intra-individual- vs. interpersonal-levels. Study 1 will examine the moderating role of environmental unpredictability in the relation between resource scarcity and pro-environmental behaviors. Then, Studies 2 and 3 will further include two mediators into the research model, namely, temporal discounting and competitive orientation, in order to clarify potential mediating mechanisms of the aforementioned moderating effects. Specifically, Study 2 will focus on temporal discounting (i.e., an intra-individual level mediator) while Study 3 will focus on competitive orientation (i.e., an interpersonal level mediator). In terms of methodology, this project will recruit participants and test hypotheses in various ways. For example, the macro level data from the World Bank and Global Footprint Network will be collected. Moreover, we will use questionnaires, scenario experiments, and the public goods game to collect micro level data related to pro-environmental behaviors among college students and full-time employees. Theoretically speaking, the present project takes a first step to re-define and enrich our understanding about pro-environmental behaviors from the perspective of resources. More importantly, we attempt to extend the application of evolutionary psychology theories to the research area of environmental psychology. Practically speaking, based on the reality of resource scarcity, our project will provide the government with the guidance to improve citizens’ pro-environmental behaviors effectively. The obtained findings will also provide constructive suggestions for promoting sustainable development and ecological civilization.

我国现阶段的环境资源仍处于短缺状态，改善环境需要全社会共同参与。关于资源短缺这一社会现实如何影响个体的亲环境行为鲜有研究涉足。本项目拟通过三个紧密相连的系列研究，从宏观到微观、从行为到生理、从个体内到人际间以实证的方式揭示资源短缺影响亲环境行为的作用条件及内在机制。本项目首先探明环境不稳定性在资源短缺和亲环境行为之间的调节作用。在此基础上，进一步分水平探讨这一调节作用的中介机制；个体内和人际水平的中介机制分别为时间折扣和竞争取向。在方法上，本项目采用多元化的被试取样和多样化的研究方法，如宏观层面采用国家水平的大数据，微观层面使用问卷、情景模拟和博弈游戏等方法。在理论贡献上，本项目创新地从资源视角重新定义亲环境行为，并将进化心理学的重要理论应用于环境心理学领域。在实践价值上，本项目结合资源短缺这一现实背景有针对性地探讨提高民众亲环境行为的可行路径，为促进可持续发展和生态文明提供建设性意见。

资源短缺是全球性的突出社会现实问题，本项目以生命史理论为基础，结合恐惧管理理论与稀缺理论，综合运用多种研究方法和技术手段，关注资源短缺对个体亲环境行为的影响，探究其作用条件及内在机制。本项目首先证实了环境不稳定性对亲环境行为的消极影响及其在资源短缺影响亲环境行为过程中的调节作用，即在不稳定性高的环境中，资源短缺会使个体倾向于选择快策略，更关注当下利益，进而在行为上表现得更不环保。其次，考察了未来取向在资源短缺影响亲环境行为过程中的调节作用，发现高未来取向个体感知到的资源短缺程度正向预测其日常节能行为。最后，额外探究了其它影响亲环境行为的因素，重点关注了描述性规范效价和全球人类认同感，发现负框架描述性规范对亲环境行为有更强的促进作用，这一效应符合进化的视角；全球人类认同感可以促进亲环境行为，且这一效应受到行动支持感知的调节。.本项目创新性地从资源视角将亲环境行为视为一种对环境的投资行为，从而更贴近其行为本质，有别于以往从道德视角定义的亲环境行为。其次，本项目将进化心理学的相关理论引申至环境领域，基于生命史理论探讨并解释了资源短缺如何作用于亲环境行为。本项目的开展将加深对亲环境行为的理解，为提升民众亲环境行为提供切实可行的方案，从而为可持续发展提供理论支持和方法依据。