Moderating Effects of Moral Reasoning on Environmental Attitude and Behavior

Abstract

Previous studies have separately examined and established the positive influence of emotional connection to nature and Kohlberg's cognitive moral reasoning on environment-related attitude and behavior. In addition to the reexamination of the direct effects of emotional connection to nature (NR-Affective) and Kohlberg's cognitive moral reasoning (Moral Reasoning) on environment-related attitude and behavior such as interest in environmental issues (Interest) and recycling behavior (Recycling), the possibilities for indirect effects such as mediation of Interest and moderation of Moral Reasoning were explored in this study with a sample of 199 college students in South Korea. The results showed that Interest partially mediates the relationship between NR-Affective and Recycling. Moderating effects of Moral Reasoning were also observed on the links between NR-Affective and Interest and between NR-Affective and Recycling. As negative signs of interacting variables for the moderation suggest, stronger relationships between NR-Affective and Interest and between NR-Affective and Recycling are likely to be found in individuals with lower levels of Moral Reasoning. In other words, emotional connection to nature is more likely to induce environment-related attitude and behavior among individuals with less developed Kohlberg's moral reasoning, such as children.