Prior research has focused on individual difference variables that predict various prosocial behaviors. This work, however, has neglected to consider the underlying commonalities between the different domains behavior can be performed. In line with other authors we propose that individual difference factors can indicate one’s propensity toward acting prosocially across domains, and that prosocial behaviors also include behaviors that support behavior for the common good. We argue that in order for one’s prosocial propensity to be actualized in a particular domain, a motivator in the form of connectedness to the domain is necessary. This paper examines such a model exemplified in the ecological domain by explaining pro-environmental actions. Through two studies (total N = 760) we provide evidence for a mediation model whereby connectedness to nature mediates the positive relation between prosocial propensity and pro-environmental behavior. Prosocial propensity was operationalized as altruism (studies 1 and 2) and honesty-humility (study 2). Further, study 1 also showed a comparison between participants indicating membership in environmental and humanitarian organizations and non-members. This indicated that prosocial propensity was higher in environmentalists and humanitarians compared to non-members, while connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behaviors were higher only in environmental organization members. These studies provide evidence for the premise of a prosocial propensity being actualized in the ecological domain via connectedness to that domain.

先前的研究集中在预测各种亲社会行为的个体差异变量上。然而，这项工作忽略了可以执行的不同域行为之间的潜在共性。与其他作者一致，我们提出个体差异因素可以表明一个人在跨领域采取亲社会行为的倾向，并且亲社会行为还包括支持为共同利益而行为的行为。我们认为，为了在特定领域实现一个人的亲社会倾向，与该领域的联系形式的激励因素是必要的。本文通过解释有利于环境的行动来检验在生态领域中举例说明的这种模型。通过两项研究（共N = 760）我们为中介模型提供了证据，其中与自然的联系在亲社会倾向和亲环境行为之间起到了中介作用。亲社会倾向被具体化为利他主义（研究 1 和 2）和诚实谦逊（研究 2）。此外，研究 1 还显示了表明是环境和人道主义组织成员与非成员的参与者之间的比较。这表明与非成员相比，环保主义者和人道主义者的亲社会倾向更高，而与自然的联系和亲环境行为仅在环保组织成员中更高。这些研究为通过与生态领域的联系在生态领域实现亲社会倾向的前提提供了证据。