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The influence of anticipated pride and guilt on pro-environmental decision making

Authors:

Claudia Schneider

Lisa Zaval

Elke Weber

Ezra Markowitz

Brock Bastian

Publication Type:
Journal Article
Year of Publication:
2017
Secondary Title:
PLOS ONE
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0188781
Pages:
e0188781
Volume:
12
Year:
2017
Date:
Nov-30-2017

Abstract

A growing body of research points to the central role that the anticipation of future affective states plays in shaping future- and other-oriented decision making [1, 2]. Emotionally engaging pro-social behaviors, such as helping victims in need or donating money to a charitable organization, may be particularly sensitive to such processes [3]. The anticipation of future affective states, both positive and negative, may be a powerful motivator of taking positive actions on behalf of others, particularly among those that carry strong personal and/or cultural norms of caring for others. In the present study, we extend the growing literature on anticipated emotions to examine how two specific states–anticipating feeling pride and guilt—compare in their influence on pro-environmental decision making and behavioral intentions.