Green Shopping

For Selfish Reasons or the Common Good

Bibliographic Data

ID4842294
AuthorsJohn Thøgersen (0000-0003-0613-8062, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark, corresponding author)
Year2011
Volume55
Issue8
Pages1052-1076
Publication date2011-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Behavioral Scientist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7642 • E-ISSN: 1552-3381
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0002764211407903
OpenAlexW2169174438
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited41

Findings suggesting that consumers buy "green" products, such as organic foods, for selfish reasons are usually accepted at face value. In this article, the author argues that the evidence backing this claim is questionable and that it reflects post hoc rationalizations and self-presentation biases on behalf of respondents. Knowing that one has incurred substantial personal costs by contributing to a worthy cause can create an uneasiness that one is motivated to relieve, especially when one is uncertain about the ultimate impact of this contribution. A possible coping strategy is to adjust one's beliefs about intangible private benefits in a way that justifies (bolsters) one's purchasing decision. A survey study among a representative sample of approximately 4,000 respondents from four European countries (Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, and Italy) confirmed that this is exactly what "green" consumers do. On the basis of Schwartz's comprehensive Picture Value Questionnaire, it is also found that buying organic food is strongly, consistently, and positively related to unselfish values (i.e., universalism) but not selfish values (e.g., status, security, pleasure). This suggests that consumers at least start to buy these products for unselfish reasons (the common good). However, after having done so, they seem to bolster their beliefs about private benefits to preserve a self-image of being a competent and rational person

Business · Pleasure · Political science · Politics · Universalism · Value (mathematics) · Consumer Behavior in Brand Consumption and Identification · Cultural Differences and Values · Law · Marketing · Organic Food and Agriculture · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub