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Plechatá, Adéla ; Hielkema, Marijke Hiltje ; Merkl, Lisa-Marie ; Makransky, Guido ; Frøst, Michael Bom:
Shifting from Information- to Experience-Based Climate Change Communication Increases Pro-Environmental Behavior Via Efficacy Beliefs.
In: Environmental Communication.
(2024)
.
ISSN 1752-4040
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17524032.2024.2334727
Abstract
To reach necessary greenhouse gas emissions targets, behavior change is necessary at the consumer level. However, standard information-based interventions struggle to change environmentally impactful behaviors like beef consumption. Experience-based communication that engages non-analytical systems can be crucial for changing our beliefs that our behavior makes a difference. Immersive virtual reality (VR) in the metaverse represents a shift toward experience-based environmental communication. In this preregistered 2 (VR experience vs. VR information) x 2 (indulgent vs. explicit labeling) study (N = 167), we tested the effectiveness of VR experience-based communication and cost-effective nudging to promote sustainable diets. Label manipulation showed no effect on meat consumption. The VR experience led to stronger pro-environmental intentions and more pro-environmental behavior in VR and real life than the VR information condition. Mediation analyses confirm that experience-based VR communication can enhance people’s efficacy beliefs, increasing their intentions and, consequently, reducing beef consumption.