Norms

Norms
Conservation attitudes will be easy to “assimilate” into the Judeo-Christian belief system, given the pre-existing emphasis of humility, generosity and simple frugal living as opposed to consumption and flamboyance. Conservation behaviors will not only be assimilated easily but amplified effectively by the practices of the Judeo-Christian communities. In the close knit-communities of churches, community members are able provide the injunctive norms to each other about conservation behaviours. Given the culture of sharing about their personal lives and frequent meetings that is prevalent in most Christian communities, it gives each other the opportunity to provide feedback about their progress in environmental goals, and potentially reinforcing the injunctive norms set by the community. These social interactions can also develop the framework of an environmental social identity where sustainable behavior connotes social identity. Therefore if individuals want to fit in and belong to that community then they will have to produce the appropriate environmental behaviors to fit in.

Norms – Environmental Education
The Judeo-Christian religion is also known for its characteristic emphasis on education programs. Starting from an early childhood continuing throughout adulthood, Sunday school programs are implemented on children with the aims of teaching them about morality, ethics and discipline through lessons, playing and community involvement activities. These Sunday schools are potential avenues for environmental education.

For example, time could be allocated in the programs for children to interact with nature, and the teachers could guide them through these interactions, giving them opportunities to think critically from a very early age. Also, community involvement programs can also involve environmental conservation aspects such as picking up litter and recycling. Giving people the opportunity to be involved together in conservation activities allows them to label themselves as conservationists and to so labeled by others, thus linking back to their environmental social identity.

Norms – Indoctrination
During Sunday school, homilies, and Feast days, the Church will encourage members to walk in the footsteps of past christians such as St Francis of Assisi. This sharing of anecdotes and personal accounts help people to relate, while simultaneously providing a role model for them to follow, thus increasing cooperation, understanding and patience. These conditions allows children to develop knowledge and attitudes toward environment while they are still young and more malleable to suggestions and social norms.

Research has been shown the effectiveness of injunctive norms (Cialdini et al., 1991) on anti-littering behavior in all locations. It is foreseeable that the injunctive norms set by Christian communities to have similar effects in maintaining conservation behaviours.  Furthermore, the Church and its programs can provide the socializations for the young children to maintain these positive relations to nature as they grow up which will carry on for their lifetime.