Jurnal Ecopsy
Vol 13, No 1 (2026): JURNAL ECOPSY

Mitigating Present Bias with Immediate Narratives on Plastic Usage: An Experimental Study in Makassar City

Putra, Anhar Dana (Unknown)
Firmansyah, Muhammad Reza (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
16 Apr 2026

Abstract

Prior research has demonstrated that present bias impedes the adoption of pro-environmental behaviors, such as reducing the consumption of single-use plastics in everyday life. Van der Linden (2015) found that those who utilize disposable plastics exhibit more vulnerability to present bias, displaying a preference for immediate convenience at the expense of long-term environmental consequences. Nevertheless, despite the urgent plastic waste problem in Indonesia, there is still a shortage of extensive literature on effective solutions to this issue. This study investigates whether immediate impact narratives on climate change can affect people's intentions to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic. Using a between-subject design experiment, 90 individuals were randomly divided into three groups. Group A was shown with a vignette containing narratives that conveyed the immediate impacts of climate change. Group B, on the other hand, was shown a vignette containing narratives that conveyed long-term impact of climate change. Group C did not receive any vignette. Afterwards, all participants filled out a questionnaire that assessed their intention to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic in the future. The findings revealed substantial disparities among the groups, with Group A demonstrating a greater intention to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics in comparison to Group B and C. These findings indicate that by using immediate impact narratives, present bias can be mitigated and effective interventions can eventually be devised to gradually reduce the consumption of single-use plastic in the long run. 

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

ecopsy

Publisher

Subject

Humanities Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

Ecopsy Journal is a scientific journal that focuses on the Science of Psychology, particularly with regard to issues of Environmental Psychology and other branches of Psychological sciences related environmental context (General Psychology, Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Clinical ...