Optimism Bias about Environmental Degradation

Two studies examined optimism bias regarding environmental degradation. In Study 1 with 86 college students, optimism bias was observed regarding some aspects of environmental degradation (e.g., air pollution affecting the local area), but not others. Results indicate egocentric focus on personal precautions may not contribute to optimism bias if others are also seen to benefit from one's own personal precautions. Study 2 with 120 college students assessed this hypothesis, using a manipulation of the perceived range of impact of risk-relevant behaviours. Ss judged the likelihood that they and their average peer would be affected by environmental hazards, phrased in either general terms (e.g., air pollution) or specific terms (e.g., respiratory problems due to air pollution). Controls made estimates about the specific outcomes not explicitly related to the environment. Ss identified behaviours which influence the likelihood of being affected by each hazard. As predicted, Ss asked about general environmental hazards nominated behaviours likely to benefit many people (e.g., reduced use of ozone-damaging chemicals) and showed less optimism bias than Ss asked about specific consequences of the same hazards. Optimism bias was negatively correlated with range of impact of precautions.