The human dimension: how social and behavioural research methods can help address microplastics in the environment

Abstract

The present paper illustrates the breadth of research methods in the Social and Behavioural Sciences and how these may be applied to the issue of environmental microplastics. Microplastics are a human-caused problem and we need to understand the human dimension in order to address it. Nine key points are emphasised in this paper and follow from the key observation that humans, through their perceptions, decisions and actions, are pivotal to the issue of primary and secondary microplastics in the environment: 1) Human perception and behaviour can be subject to systematic and rigorous scientific study, using theory-based hypothesis testing, measurement and statistical analysis; 2) Qualitative methods can explore new areas of research and provide novel, in-depth insights; 3) Best practice and recommendations exist for measuring social data; 4) Quantitative cross-sectional approaches can test how important social factors are for key outcomes (e.g., the role of perceived risk, values, social norms for behaviour); 5) Experimental quantitative approaches can compare randomised groups and study cause-effect relations; 6) Certain limitations and challenges are unique to research with people; 7) Communications and interventions (e.g., change campaigns, new regulation, education programmes) should be developed based on scientific insights into human thought and behaviour and then evaluated systematically; 8) Social researchers should work towards developing standardised tools and protocols; and 9) Social research on microplastics and its determinants specifically is in its infancy and a number of important research questions remain to be addressed.

A Change of Mind: Applying Social and Behavioral Research Methods to the Assessment of the Effectiveness of Ocean Literacy Initiatives

“…Informing people (raising awareness) is a necessary step, but studies have revealed assessing awareness alone does not necessarily assess if a change in attitude and behavior has been adopted (Schultz, 1999;Steg et al, 2013). Pahl and Wyles (2017) conclude that understanding the influences of human thought and behavior is just as important. Incorporating existing systematic understanding of human behaviors and their underlying mechanisms, with empirical methods to collect data that explain perceptions and behavior, thereby, enables a greater level of assessment of interventions aimed at behavior change (Reddy et al, 2016;Pahl and Wyles, 2017).…”

“…Pahl and Wyles (2017) conclude that understanding the influences of human thought and behavior is just as important. Incorporating existing systematic understanding of human behaviors and their underlying mechanisms, with empirical methods to collect data that explain perceptions and behavior, thereby, enables a greater level of assessment of interventions aimed at behavior change (Reddy et al, 2016;Pahl and Wyles, 2017).…”

“…Pre-existing pro-environmental behaviors undertaken by people have also been studied, as well as the relationship between level of knowledge, concern and the existing behaviors or actions undertaken (Muderrisoglu and Altanlar, 2011;Chen and Tsai, 2016). However, the effect of an ocean literacy initiative on behavior change objectives, for a given audience or actor are rarely assessed, despite the availability of behavioral and social science methods to achieve this (Hartley et al, 2015(Hartley et al, , 2018aPahl and Wyles, 2017).…”

“…Systematic approaches to assessing change in attitude and behavior are valuable both in assessing the effectiveness of ocean literacy tools and for informing practitioners on the benefit of applying tools with specific audiences. Pahl and Wyles (2017) highlight that information (informing people) is sometimes considered as the key factor for changing perceptions and behavior by scientists outside of the behavioral sciences. Informing people (raising awareness) is a necessary step, but studies have revealed assessing awareness alone does not necessarily assess if a change in attitude and behavior has been adopted (Schultz, 1999;Steg et al, 2013).…”

Channelling passion for the ocean towards plastic pollution

“…Social and behavioural sciences have a lot to offer in addressing 'wicked' problems [23], where the issue is complex and ubiquitous, with complicated risk-benefit trade-offs that affect diverse stakeholders and seemingly threaten engrained habits and lifestyles. The behavioural disciplines need to develop and embrace this demand.…”