INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL AND LEGAL NORMS ON ANTI-ECOLOGICAL BEHAVIORS

This chapter is aimed at both analyzing current theories on normative variables related to anti-environmental behavior, and testing an explanatory model using these normative variables as determinants of such a behavior. We first review theories and factors related to the inhibition of anti-ecological conducts; then, we present and discuss results from an empirical study on the determinants of such conducts. Two-hundred and ninety-seven individuals living in the proximities of a natural protected area in a Mexican northwestern city were interviewed. An instrument was utilized to measure diverse components of legitimacy, legal deterrence, social and personal norms, emotional volatility, antisocial behavior and illegal anti-ecological behavior. Results from a structural equation model indicated that personal norm and antisocial behavior had a direct effect on illegal anti-ecological behavior; social norm produced an indirect effect on that behavior through personal norm. Deterrence also exerted its effect through social norm. Legitimacy correlated with social norm and deterrence, and emotional volatility affected personal norm. These results replicated findings from previous studies on antisocial and anti-ecological behaviors; the direct predictor of illegal behavior is personal norm, while external pressure perceived by individuals should be first internalized in order to modify, maintain and control their potentially illegal anti-ecological behavior. Emotional volatility was included in the model resulting also as a determinant of the way people integrate external pressure into their personal norms. We concluded that law and public policies should consider these results in their attempts to promote pro-ecological behavior among citizens.