Psychologist Contribution to the Promotion of Pro-Environmental Behaviour - Essay Example

Psychologist’ Contribution to the Promotion of Pro-Environmental Behaviour Introduction Psychologists’ contribution to pro-environmental behaviour falls under three main categories. First, they have the capacity to investigate causes of environmental problems associated with human behaviour. Secondly, they explore the consequences of environmental change on humans. This provides ownership to the problem and causes individuals to think about implications of environmentally sustainable behaviour. Lastly, psychologists can directly encourage helpful responses to these changes. Causes of environmental problems associated with human behaviour Psychology is concerned with the study of human behaviour. Therefore, it provides a link between human behaviour and environmental problems. It studies the attitudes that lead to such pervasive problems in nature. Psychologists thus provide a human context for the environmental predicaments in which man finds himself. In order to spark change, man needs to understand how he led to the problem in the first place (Gifford, 2000). This way, human beings can take ownership of the issue. Psychologists have identified a number of factors that may lead to environmental degradation. Chief among these suggestions are excessive consumption and high population rates. The field of psychology enables the public to understand how overconsumption may deplete environmental resources. People’s values and attitudes determine how much they consume. If society has a materialistic value system, then it is likely that people will keep consuming in order to boost their self worth (Winter and Koger, 2004). In fact, it has been found that such behaviour is associated with having a low subjective well being. Likewise, high population growth rates are not just rooted in biology. Psychologists have enabled the world to see how other factors may have contributed to the problem. Education levels, one’s attitudes towards children as well as gender roles are heavy determinants of high population growth rates. These studies thus indicate the mental preconditions that perpetuate environmentally unsustainable situations (De Young and Princen, 2012). Psychologists assist in delineating the factors behind perceptions to the environment. This assists in explaining why human beings have been reluctant to make change. For instance, the issue of global warming is one in which several scientists have studied and found concrete evidence supporting it. However, people continue to believe otherwise. Psychologists help in describing why these responses currently exist to them. They have identified issues such as selective information use, confusion and temporal discounting as potential causes. Man has continued in this tumultuous path of environmental description because of a series of psychological defences. Humans think that climate change is not urgent, so they see no need to immediately alter their behaviour. A number of them also develop defence mechanisms to shield them away from a scary thing (Bohm, 2003). They thus deny that global warming is real and maintain their harmful lifestyles. In this regard, the field of psychology assists in not just determining how man led to the current environmental problems, but it also demystifies the reasons behind his persistent inaction. Consequences of environmental change among humans If current environmental behaviour persists, then humans are likely to face a number of psychological consequences. For instance, they could be severely stressed or depressed. Environmental threats could lead to anxiety and a series of other behavioural problems (Gifford, 2007b). Social injustice may also become rampant if environmental attitudes do not change. People’s identity is often linked to their environment; therefore, if their surroundings are destroyed, then they are likely to lose their identity. Psychologists thus assist man in understanding what he may suffer from if the environment is degraded. These issues may eventually propel change among the masses. Not all individuals can be affected equally by environmental changes. The poor are the most vulnerable because they lack the power and resources needed to protect themselves. Therefore, psychologists assist in putting environmental reactions in context. They illustrate how demographic factors like age and social-economic background play into the equation. Furthermore, this group of professionals also serve to delineate how specific personality traits may also determine perceptions of these alterations (Gifford, 2007a). Directly encouraging environmentally helpful responses Psychologists contribute towards the process of directly promoting pro-environmental behaviour by establishing effective behaviour modification techniques. A lot of research has been done on incentives and how people react to them. Many have also looked into norms, goals and prompts that all contribute towards maintenance of sustainable behaviour. These components thus assist in designing environmental promotional programs that work. For instance, one may buy an electric car in order to make a statement about oneself. Humans care about how others perceive them, so they could engage in certain behaviour in order to gain approval from other. Maintaining positive identity has a direct effect on one’s self worth. The psychological need for connectedness to others with similar positive attributes may thus cause a person to purchase an electric vehicle (Uzzell and Moser, 2006). Such insights may assist experts in designing programs which tap into these basic psychological needs. As a result, they are likely to yield more sustainable or long term behaviour change. Members of this profession are also useful in studying how human beings form associations with the environment. This can assist in cementing their relationship with it, and may cause them to be environmentally responsible (Clayton and Myers, 2009). For instance, in order to motivate behaviour, students may visit a zoo or park in which they can pick one animal that resonates with them. They may see it often or even learn about the possibility of its extinction. This creates a connection between humans and animals. As a result, they will be motivated to engage in conservation behaviour. Psychologists thus contribute towards pro-environmental behaviour by tapping into innate, human emotional needs. A number of initiatives have taken place through the efforts of psychologists in environmental conservations. These programs focus on maintenance of harmony between humans and nature. They also dwell on creation of an environmental ethic in all facets of life (Monroe, 2003). Such projects have worked because they were scientifically based on certain premises that are innate to human psychology. One such instance is the issue of attention. The attention restoration theory outlines two forms of attention that human beings have: directed and fascination (Kaplan and Kaplan, 2005). Fascination is involuntary and comes naturally. It is associated with a person’s interest or what they are curious about. They naturally engage in that thing that fascinates them without putting in any effort. There is no end to things that may fascinate man as they could be wild animals, blood, bright things among others. These things may continue to capture man’s attention even if they are seen repeatedly. On the flipside, human attention may also be directed. This implies situations that require constant effort in engaging with them. They often involve processes and things that do not inspire or fascinate. Directed attention is necessary in order to cause humans to participate in their daily activities without being distracted by different noises around them. However, this mental state is finite and easily comes to an end, in a process known as directed attention fatigue. Once fatigue sets in, people are likely to become highly irritable or impulsive. They may also become distracted and fail to finish their respective tasks. In order to elicit long term pro-environmental behaviour, change agents must design programs that fascinate audiences. This will reduce their need to utilise directed attention and cause them to rely heavily on involuntary fascination. Therefore, psychologists can contribute to conservation efforts by establishing the best way of capturing and maintaining the audience’s attention when environmental projects have been created (Doherty, 2011). As soon as conservation programs have been implemented, it is necessary to determine how well they are working. Psychologists are quite useful in this area as well because they can monitor changes in attitudes, motivations and perceptions towards the environment. If change initiators simply wait for tangible environmental outcomes as proof that their projects work, then substantial harm may be caused to the environment. Psychology acts as an intermediate measure for how effective these programs are (Clayton and Brook, 2005). Furthermore, in the event that attitudes alter against nature, actions may be taken to realign them again. Communication and the use of the media are critical in reaching the masses about environmental efforts. Psychologists are also helpful in this regard because they can establish the most effective ways of representing environmental challenges in a way that will resonate with the masses (Bechtel and Churchman, 2002). Members of this field can also determine the implications of social construction with regard to environmental solutions and issues. Psychology often outlines how to design persuasive messages. Environmental advocates need to present their communications in a manner that persuades. They must also include all the relevant information surrounding the risks, magnitudes and ways in which individuals can participate (Schmuck and Vlek, 2003). Therefore, this information is critical in making environmental changes work. Conclusion Psychologists play a vital role in conservation. They start by establishing links between the environment and people’s behaviour. This provides ownership of the problem and is a foundation for change. Psychologists further augment this context by explaining the consequences of environmental degradation. Finally, they offer scientifically concrete solutions because these are based on an understanding of human behaviour. References Bechtel, R. B. and A. Churchman, 2002. Handbook of Environmental Psychology. New York: Wiley. Bohm, G., 2003. Emotional reactions to environmental risks: Consequentialist versus ethical evaluation. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23, pp. 199-212. Clayton, S. and Brook, A., 2005. Can psychology help save the world? A model Clayton, S. and Myers Jr., O. 2009. Conservation Psychology: Understanding and Promoting Human Care for Nature. New York: Wiley / Blackwell Publishers De Young, R. and Princen, T. 2012. The Localization Reader: Adapting to the Coming Downshift. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. Doherty, T. J., 2011. Psychologies of the environment. Ecopsychology, 3(5), pp. 75-77. Gardner, G. and Stern, P., 2002. 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European Review of Applied Psychology, 56, pp. 1-4. Winter, D.D.N. and Koger, S., 2004. The psychology of environmental problems. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Read More