American International Journal of Social Science

Psychological Predictors of Sustainable Behavior in College Samples From the United States, Brazil and the Netherlands
Aghop Der-Karabetian, Michelle Alfaro

Abstract
Using the super ordinate goal theory as a framework this study examined psychological predictors of environmentally sustainable behavior in college samples from the United States (N = 117), The Netherlands (N = 45) and Brazil (N = 116). Hypothesized predictors were: (a) perceived impact of globalization, (b) global-human and national identity, (c) world-minded value orientation, and (d) perceived personal risk from harmful environmental conditions. In partial support of the superordinate goal theory, higher perceived environmental risk was a predictor of more sustainable behavior in the United States and the Netherlands samples. Also, stronger global-human identity was a significant predictor in the Netherlands sample, and approached significance in the United States and the Brazil samples. The Netherlands sample additionally had stronger national identity as a predictor. In all three samples higher global-human identity was related to more positive perceived impact of globalization, and to higher world-minded values in the United States and the Netherlands samples.

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