Two hundred students and their spouses participated in a survey. Accuracy of the spouses’self-reports of environmental behavior was examined by comparing them with the students’ reports of the spouses’ behavior. These two sources of report were moderately correlated (rs = .44 to .45). Moreover, self-reports could be higher or lower than other-reports, depending on the type of environmental behavior measured. Half of all participants were also cross-questioned about the details of their self-reports. Compared with those who were not cross-questioned, the former gave lower (less socially desirable) ratings for their own behavior. Put together, the present study found no strong evidence of accuracy or inaccuracy of self-reports but suggests that cross-questioning can make people more cautious in their answers. Gender differences in environmental behavior were also found and discussed.
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