Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Egoistic value is conceptualized as anti‐environmental in many environmental value theories, yet contradictory evidence exists for its relation with pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour. To provide insights into these inconsistent findings, this research examined the moderating role of the psychological distance of environmental problems on their relationship. Across one cross‐sectional survey study (1008 community participants from the United States) and one World Values Survey study (66,704 nationally representative participants from 46 countries/regions), results converged in showing that psychological distance of environmental problems (i.e. climate change and local pollution) moderated the relationship between egoistic value and pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour. Their association became more positive as that psychological distance got closer. Different patterns were observed for altruistic and biospheric values. These findings highlight the potential pro‐environmental utility of egoistic value and the importance of paying attention to contexts when theorizing its relation with pro‐environmental attitude and behaviour.
Lou et al. (Sat,) studied this question.