Group-Influenced Autonomous Motivation for Pro-environmental Behaviour: Factors influencing the internalisation of group norms as autonomously motivating

This dissertation explores the complex relationship between group norms, autonomous motivation, and sustainable behaviour. It is structured in three main body chapters, each contributing to a deeper understanding of this dynamic. The conceptual chapter lays the theoretical foundation for autonomous motivation, integrating insights from philosophy and psychology. Autonomy is positioned as crucial for sustaining behaviour without supervision or rewards, and is presented as more than intrinsic motivation, as it can become internalised as part of one’s social identity. Three core components of autonomous motivation are defined: self-governance, volitional resolve, and self-authorship.

The second chapter introduces the Philosophically Informed Conceptualisation of Autonomous Motivation (PhICAM) scale, which provides reliable and valid measurements of autonomous motivation in different contexts. The third chapter presents three experiments investigating the influence of group norms on sustainable choices, such as meat consumption, meat taxes, and the use of lab-grown meat, nuclear energy, and farmers’ protests in the Netherlands. The findings demonstrate that autonomous motivation plays a critical role in promoting sustainable behaviour, depending on the context and the specific norms applied.

The dissertation highlights the role of social influence in experiencing autonomy and suggests that combining insights from social psychology and philosophy is essential for promoting sustainable behavioural change and mitigating climate change. It offers valuable insights for future policies and interventions in the field of sustainability.