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Journal article
The perfectionistic model of pro-environmental behaviour: testing the associations between perfectionism, dichotomous thinking, and the reported frequency of pro-environmental behaviours
Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), Vol.44(23), pp.17937-17952
2025
Abstract
Perfectionism is linked to elevated all-or-nothing thinking (dichotomous thinking), reduced self-evaluation (e.g., self-compassion, self-efficacy), and behavioural avoidance. This paper reviews the clinical model of perfectionism and the literature on the connections between perfectionism, dichotomous thinking, self-related constructs such as self-compassion and self-efficacy, and pro-environmental behaviour. It introduces the 'perfectionistic model of pro-environmental behaviour'. In a test of the model, we explore the associations between perfectionism, dichotomous thinking, self-related constructs, and the stated frequency of different types of pro-environmental behaviours. These range from easy behaviours (e.g., switching the computer off when it is not in use) to difficult behaviours that require more effort to perform (e.g., buying second-hand clothes instead of new). The sample comprised of 338 participants (Mage = 43.66; SD = 13.04). Our findings reveal that perfectionistic concerns (self-criticism about making mistakes) and perfectionistic strivings (setting high personal standards) exert opposing effects on the reported frequency of difficult pro-environmental behaviours. Specifically, perfectionistic concerns are associated with decreased frequency, while perfectionistic strivings are linked to increased frequency of difficult pro-environmental behaviours. Dichotomous thinking negatively correlates with the frequency of difficult pro-environmental behaviours. Both perfectionistic concerns and perfectionistic strivings have an indirect effect on the frequency of difficult pro-environmental behaviour through dichotomous thinking. Future longitudinal research should examine whether heightened perfectionism leads to increased dichotomous thinking, which in turn may result in decreased pro-environmental behaviour over time.
Details
- Title
- The perfectionistic model of pro-environmental behaviour: testing the associations between perfectionism, dichotomous thinking, and the reported frequency of pro-environmental behaviours
- Authors/Creators
- Danyelle Greene - Univ Queensland, UQ Business Sch, Room 456, GP North Bldg, St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, Qld 4072, AustraliaSarah Egan - Curtin Univ, Fac Hlth Sci, Sch Populat Hlth, Discipline Psychol, Perth, Australia
- Publication Details
- Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.), Vol.44(23), pp.17937-17952
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 16
- Grant note
- The University of Queensland; University of Queensland
- Identifiers
- 991005881354407891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Psychology
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.21 Psychiatry
- 1.21.2270 Perfectionism and Procrastination
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychology, Multidisciplinary
- ESI research areas
- Psychiatry/Psychology