Expanding the role for psychology in addressing environmental challenges.

Abstract

Environmental challenges, though daunting, present an important area for psychologists to apply their knowledge. Psychological theories, research methods, and interventions are essential for examining the questions about human impacts, tendencies, and capacities that are integral to constructing effective responses to these challenges. Although a great deal of relevant research has been done, there is scope for psychologists to be more extensively involved. Following a brief review of existing research, we outline some important new directions. We also highlight 2 key divergences, arguing that psychological research needs to expand beyond a traditional, theory-based and decontextualized approach to environmental issues to incorporate a contextualized or “place-based” approach and a willingness to collaborate in interdisciplinary research teams that focus on specific environmental problems. Suggestions for promoting such interdisciplinary collaborations are reviewed. We encourage psychologists to expand their engagement with important environmental issues through multiple research approaches in order to further their understanding of human behavior, contributions to human well-being, and relevance to other disciplines and to society.

Multilevel networks for climate change adaptation – what works?

“…Learning loops are stronger and more deeply entrenched in social settings, in comparison with reading and reflection alone (Orderud and Winsvold, 2012). The effects of social learning involving feedback loops are not restricted to self-regulation: they may also have the potential to influence higher-order goals, values and identities (Shove, 2010;Clayton et al, 2016).…”

“…Environmental psychology "examines transactions between individuals and their built and natural environments" (Gifford, 2014), and such an approach may explain how and why learning, attitudinal change and pro-environmental behaviour may be triggered by network participation. The environmental psychology literature chosen as source material for this paper includes studies that apply social psychology theories to explain motivation for pro-environmental behaviours (Clayton et al, 2016;Gifford, 2014;Stoknes, 2015;, and behaviours related to climate change adaptation Gifford, 2011). The added value inherent in this research is the combination of the governance and environmental psychology perspectives: a holistic interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of governance networks.…”

“…Within environmental psychology, social psychology theories are often applied to explain challenges encountered by individuals and groups in terms of human behaviours, perceptions and motivations in the face of climate change (Clayton et al, 2016;. An environmental psychology perspective may therefore contribute towards explaining why networks achieve, or fail to achieve, behavioural changes.…”

“…The first is found in the institutionalist multilevel governance literature (Bouckaert et al, 2010), especially that focusing on the capacity for knowledge translation between administrative levels -"boundary work" (Corfee-Morlot et al, 2011;Guston, 2001). The second strand is found in the environmental psychology literature (Stoknes, 2015;Clayton et al, 2016;Gifford, 2011). Stoknes (2015) recommended the use of social strategies for communication related to climate change, to harness the power of social networks and norms in driving municipal efforts.…”

Beyond Green Consumerism: Uncovering the Motivations of Green Citizenship

“…Shifting to greener consumption patterns is a necessary behavioral response but alone is suggested to be insufficient to effectively address the challenges presented by climate change and declining natural resource availability (Dietz, Rosa, and York 2007;Jackson 2009). Thus, a broader range of behavioral responses is needed, something beyond merely redirecting individuals' consumer choices (Clayton et al, 2016).…”