The world needs less plastic: the role of psychological distance and self-efficacy in environmental messages
This study examines the role of lowering psychological distance and increasing self-efficacy around plastic pollution through environmental media messages. Participants (N = 215) were randomly assigned to watch a short video (30–60 s) that was either generalized or localized to the state of the part...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Communication |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1579912/full |
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| Summary: | This study examines the role of lowering psychological distance and increasing self-efficacy around plastic pollution through environmental media messages. Participants (N = 215) were randomly assigned to watch a short video (30–60 s) that was either generalized or localized to the state of the participant’s residency and that did or did not include a self-efficacy message in this 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment. Results indicate that message localization lowers psychological distance and including self-efficacy messages increase self-efficacy. Both led to increased message-consistent attitudes and thus increased behavioral intentions to reduce plastic waste and promote the same behaviors in others. |
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| ISSN: | 2297-900X |