Emotional status affecting environmental decision making: the case of environmental video expose: further implications on tourism audiences

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess what the subjects’ emotional condition and proenvironmental behavior was, before watching an environmental video and how this emotional condition and behavior changed after watching it. The sample of the research consisted of 36 students studying at the University of the Aegean. The results were calculated by measuring how each student perceives the importance of his/her actions related to environmental protection, by answering a questionnaire about their emotions, daily habits and whether they are willing to change their behavior, before and after viewing a video about climate change. The statistical analysis of the data showed the influence of the video on the subjects’ emotions as well as on their intention to adopt pro-environmental behavior in the future. The results point out that beyond the exposure to stimuli like the video, there is a need of an intervention of tailor–made educational programs for the audiences in order that the intention could transform into action. An alternate way to substitute for the intervention through an educational program could be offered through the tourism industry by showing videos related to environmental issues during organized trips to places of rare beauty.