Abstract
Research shows that people search for balance in their moral (e.g., environmentally friendly) behaviors such that they feel licensed to behave less morally after a previous moral act (licensing) and cleanse previous morally questionable behaviors by subsequently behaving more morally (cleansing). This article investigates whether this balancing may extend to close others, but not to nonclose others, and tests vicarious licensing and cleansing in the environmental domain. Study 1 showed that vicarious licensing effects are more likely when a close other displayed environmentally friendly (vs. neutral) behavior. Study 2 showed that environmental vicarious licensing effects are more likely for close than nonclose others. Studies 3 and 4 suggested that vicarious licensing effects, but not vicarious cleansing effects are more likely for close (vs. nonclose) others. Finally, a meta-analysis showed that overall these studies provide evidence for vicarious licensing effects, but not for vicarious cleansing effects in the environmental domain.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Environment and Behavior |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - 2019 |
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Keywords
- cleansing
- environmentally friendly
- licensing
- morality
- self–other overlap
- vicarious
Cite this
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Taking Close Others’ Environmental Behavior Into Account When Striking the Moral Balance? Evidence for Vicarious Licensing, Not for Vicarious Cleansing. / Meijers, Marijn H.C.; Noordewier, Marret K.; Verlegh, Peeter W.J.; Zebregs, Simon; Smit, Edith G.
In: Environment and Behavior, 2019.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Taking Close Others’ Environmental Behavior Into Account When Striking the Moral Balance? Evidence for Vicarious Licensing, Not for Vicarious Cleansing
AU - Meijers, Marijn H.C.
AU - Noordewier, Marret K.
AU - Verlegh, Peeter W.J.
AU - Zebregs, Simon
AU - Smit, Edith G.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Research shows that people search for balance in their moral (e.g., environmentally friendly) behaviors such that they feel licensed to behave less morally after a previous moral act (licensing) and cleanse previous morally questionable behaviors by subsequently behaving more morally (cleansing). This article investigates whether this balancing may extend to close others, but not to nonclose others, and tests vicarious licensing and cleansing in the environmental domain. Study 1 showed that vicarious licensing effects are more likely when a close other displayed environmentally friendly (vs. neutral) behavior. Study 2 showed that environmental vicarious licensing effects are more likely for close than nonclose others. Studies 3 and 4 suggested that vicarious licensing effects, but not vicarious cleansing effects are more likely for close (vs. nonclose) others. Finally, a meta-analysis showed that overall these studies provide evidence for vicarious licensing effects, but not for vicarious cleansing effects in the environmental domain.
AB - Research shows that people search for balance in their moral (e.g., environmentally friendly) behaviors such that they feel licensed to behave less morally after a previous moral act (licensing) and cleanse previous morally questionable behaviors by subsequently behaving more morally (cleansing). This article investigates whether this balancing may extend to close others, but not to nonclose others, and tests vicarious licensing and cleansing in the environmental domain. Study 1 showed that vicarious licensing effects are more likely when a close other displayed environmentally friendly (vs. neutral) behavior. Study 2 showed that environmental vicarious licensing effects are more likely for close than nonclose others. Studies 3 and 4 suggested that vicarious licensing effects, but not vicarious cleansing effects are more likely for close (vs. nonclose) others. Finally, a meta-analysis showed that overall these studies provide evidence for vicarious licensing effects, but not for vicarious cleansing effects in the environmental domain.
KW - cleansing
KW - environmentally friendly
KW - licensing
KW - morality
KW - self–other overlap
KW - vicarious
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85047422309&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85047422309&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0013916518773148
DO - 10.1177/0013916518773148
M3 - Article
JO - Environment and Behaviour
JF - Environment and Behaviour
SN - 0013-9165
ER -