Journals / Türkiye Mesleki ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 8

Examining The Relationships Between The Need For Social Approval And Sustainable Consumption Behavior

Sosyal Onay İhtiyacı İle Sürdürülebilir Tüketim Davranışları Arasındaki İlişkilerin İncelenmesine Yönelik Bir Çalışma

Ali Alper Akgün(PAMUKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-5350-2915
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Publication Date
2026-10-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that social motivations may be associated with sustainable consumption behaviors and that the nature of these relationships may vary across the dimensions of the need for social approval.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to examine the relationships between individuals’ need for social approval and sustainable consumption behaviors.
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Key Findings & Data:Within the scope of the study, data were collected through an online survey from 393 university students with different levels of educational attainment who were selected using a convenience sampling method.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that social motivations may be associated with sustainable consumption behaviors and that the nature of these relationships may vary across the dimensions of the need for social approval.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Sosyal onay · Sosyal onay ihtiyacı · Sürdürülebilir tüketim

Abstract

This study aims to examine the relationships between individuals’ need for social approval and sustainable consumption behaviors. Accordingly, the need for social approval is conceptualized in terms of three dimensions—sensitivity to others’ judgments, social withdrawal, and leaving a good impression—and the relationships between these dimensions and four dimensions of sustainable consumption behavior, namely environmental sensitivity, reusability, saving, and unneeded consumption, are examined. Within the scope of the study, data were collected through an online survey from 393 university students with different levels of educational attainment who were selected using a convenience sampling method. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analyses, and multiple regression analyses. The findings indicate that social motivations may be associated with sustainable consumption behaviors and that the nature of these relationships may vary across the dimensions of the need for social approval. The findings further suggest that social approval may serve as a functional mechanism for promoting sustainable consumption. Accordingly, the study offers implications for businesses and policymakers regarding the use of social norms to encourage more sustainable consumption practices.

Özet

Bu çalışma, bireylerin sosyal onay ihtiyacı ile sürdürülebilir tüketim davranışları arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesini amaçlanmaktadır. Bu doğrultuda sosyal onay ihtiyacı; başkalarının yargılarına duyarlılık, sosyal geri çekilme ve olumlu izlenim bırakma boyutları üzerinden ele alınmış ve bu boyutların sürdürülebilir tüketim davranışlarından çevre duyarlılığı, yeniden kullanılabilirlik, tasarruf ve ihtiyaç dışı satın alma davranışlarıyla ilişkileri incelenmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında farklı düzeylerde öğrenim gören ve kolayda örneklem yöntemiyle seçilen 393 üniversite öğrencisinden çevrim içi anket yöntemiyle toplanan veriler, betimleyici istatistikler, doğrulayıcı faktör analizleri ve çoklu regresyon analizleri ile incelenmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, sosyal motivasyonların sürdürülebilir tüketim davranışları ile ilişkili olabileceğini ve bu ilişkilerin sosyal onay ihtiyacının alt boyutlarına göre farklılaşabileceğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bulgular, sosyal onayın sürdürülebilir tüketimi teşvik etmede işlevsel bir mekanizma olarak kullanılabileceğini göstermektedir. Bu doğrultuda, çalışmada sosyal normların sürdürülebilir tüketim lehine kullanılmasına yönelik işletmelere ve politika yapıcılara çeşitli öneriler sunulmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Akgün, A. A. (2026). Examining The Relationships Between The Need For Social Approval And Sustainable Consumption Behavior. Türkiye Mesleki ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, Cilt: 8. https://doi.org/10.46236/jovosst.2048043

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