Speaker: Daniel Schunk, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
Myriam Bechtoldt, Carina Keller, Daniel Schunk, Isabell Zipperle
Abstract: Emotions are important drivers of human decision-making. This study examines the role of emotions in pro-environmental decision-making. Using short video treatments in an experimental laboratory setting (n=301), we induce climate-related hope, anxiety, and guilt—emotions commonly addressed by NGOs to raise funds. We investigate the potential of our videos to affect one key dimension of climate change mitigation: donations to NGOs engaging in CO2 emission reduction. We find that being in the guilt condition positively impacts donation behavior at the extensive margin, while being in the hope or anxiety condition negatively impacts donation behavior at the intensive margin. Experiencing anxiety leads to a relative higher probability to support spatially close donation beneficiaries. Finally, we find that donating reduces guilt levels, indicating emotional relief, and we argue that this aligns with theoretical considerations on the inclusion of emotions in the utility maximization framework.
