Compensatory green beliefs (CGBs) reflect the idea that a pro-environmental behavior (e.g., recycling) can off-set the negative effects of an environmentally detrimental behavior (e.g., driving). It is thought that CGBs might help explain why people act in ways that appear to contradict their pro-environmental intentions, and inconsistently engage in pro-environmental behaviors. The present study sought to investigate the nature and use of CGBs. A series of interviews suggested that participants endorsed CGBs to (a) reduce feelings of guilt with respect to (the assumed or actual) negative environmental impact of their actions and (b) defend their green credentials in social situations. Participants also justified detrimental behaviors on the basis of higher loyalties (e.g., family’s needs), or the perceived difficulty of performing more pro-environmental actions. In addition to shedding light on how, when, and why people might hold and use CGBs, the research also provides new insight into how CGBs should be assessed.

中文翻译：

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补偿性信念在合理化有害环境行为中的作用

补偿性绿色信念 (CGB) 反映了这样一种观点，即亲环境行为（例如回收利用）可以抵消有害环境行为（例如驾驶）的负面影响。人们认为 CGB 可能有助于解释为什么人们的行为方式似乎与他们的亲环境意图相矛盾，并且不一致地参与亲环境行为。本研究旨在调查 CGB 的性质和用途。一系列采访表明，参与者认可 CGB 是为了 (a) 减少对其行为（假设或实际）负面环境影响的内疚感，以及 (b) 在社会环境中捍卫他们的绿色证书。参与者还根据更高的忠诚度（例如，家庭的需要）来证明有害行为是合理的，或执行更环保行动的感知困难。除了阐明人们持有和使用 CGB 的方式、时间和原因之外，该研究还提供了关于如何评估 CGB 的新见解。