(Don’t) mind the gap? The role of current versus desired state of goal attainment in predicting sustainable behavior
(Don’t) mind the gap? The role of current versus desired state of goal attainment in predicting sustainable behavior
StatusVoR
Alternative title
Authors
Kuźmińska, Anna
Głomb, Kaja
Błaszczyk, Piotr
Gąsiorowska, Agata
Roczniewska, Marta
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2026-10-23
Publisher
Journal title
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL BULLETIN (PSYCHOLOGIA SPOLECZNA)
Issue
Volume
21
Pages
Pages
1-28
ISSN
1896-1800
ISSN of series
Weblink
Access date
2026-10-23
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
Understanding what motivates individuals to engage in sustainable behavior is essential for advancing sustainable development goals (SDGs). Drawing on the cybernetic model of behavior regulation, this research investigates how the perceived gap between one’s desired level of societal progress towards sustainability and the current societal reality stimulates individuals’ action toward sustainability. Across two studies, we found that individuals’ desired state—not the current state—was the strongest predictor of both their willingness (Study 1) and actual engagement (Study 2) in sustainable behavior. Interestingly, individuals remained highly motivated to act sustainably even when SDGs were perceived as largely achieved. These effects extended beyond environmental concern to two other SDGs: health promotion and public safety. This suggests that, within the context of our studies, sustainable behavior seems to be meaningfully driven by personal goal alignment rather than current goal achievement in a society alone. Our findings offer a novel application of the cybernetic model to sustainable behavior and highlight the importance of interventions that connect sustainable actions with individuals’ personal values, aspirations, and identity. For policymakers and practitioners, this implies that fostering a sense of personal ownership and relevance of SDGs may be more effective than emphasizing societal progress alone.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
sustainable behavior
sustainable development goals
cybernetic model of behavior regulation
goal-directed behavior
sustainable development goals
cybernetic model of behavior regulation
goal-directed behavior
Keywords other
Sustainable Development Goals
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
Type
License type
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Bridging Psychology with Societal Development Science: Fifty Countries Research into the Relation Between Folk Theories of Societal Development and Ideal Types of Well-Being.
Grant number
2019/34/H/HS6/00597
Collections
Views
0Acquisition Date20.10.2022
Downloads
0Acquisition Date20.10.2022
Altmetrics©
Dimensions
Google Scholar
