Table Of ContentPsychology for Sustainability
Psychology for Sustainability, 4th Edition—known as Psychology of Environmental Problems:
Psychology for Sustainability in its previous edition—applies psychological theory and
research to so-called “environmental” problems, which actually result from human behavior
that degrades natural systems. This upbeat, user-friendly edition represents a dramatic
reorganization and includes a substantial amount of new content that will be useful to
students and faculty in a variety of disciplines—and even to people outside of academia as
well.
The literature reviewed throughout the text is up-to-date, and reflects the burgeoning
efforts of many in the behavioral sciences who are working to create a more sustainable
society.
The 4th Edition is organized in four sections. The first section provides a foundation by
familiarizing readers with the current ecological crisis and its historical origins, and by
offering a vision for a sustainable future. The next five chapters present psychological
research methods, theory, and findings pertinent to understanding, and changing,
unsustainable behavior. The third section addresses the reciprocal relationship between
planetary and human wellbeing. And the final chapter encourages readers to take what they
have learned and apply it to move behavior in a sustainable direction by presenting a variety
of theoretically and empirically grounded ideas for how to face this challenging task with
positivity, wisdom, and enthusiasm.
This textbook may be used as a primary or secondary textbook on a wide range of
courses in Ecological Psychology, Environmental Science, Sustainability Sciences,
Environmental Education, and Social Marketing. It also provides a valuable resource for
professional audiences of policymakers, legislators, and those working on sustainable
communities.
Britain A. Scott is Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas.
Elise L. Amel is Professor of Psychology and Director of Environmental Studies at the
University of St. Thomas.
Susan M. Koger is Professor of Psychology at Willamette University in Oregon.
Christie M. Manning is Associate Director of the Educating Sustainability Ambassadors
program and a Visiting Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Macalester College.
2
Psychology for Sustainability
4th Edition
Britain A. Scott
Elise L. Amel
Susan M. Koger
Christie M. Manning
3
First published 2016
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2016 Taylor & Francis
The right of Britain A. Scott, Elise L. Amel, Susan M. Koger, and Christie M. Manning to be identified as the authors
of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents
Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any
information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Third edition published 2010 by Psychology Press
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Scott, Britain A.
Psychology for sustainability / authored by Britain A. Scott, Elise L. Amel, Susan M. Koger,
Christie M. Manning.
pages cm
“4th Edition of The Psychology of Environmental Problems.”
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. Environmental responsibility. 2. Environmental psychology. 3. Environmental
psychology—History. I. Amel, Elise L. II. Koger, Susan M. III. Manning, Christie M.
IV. Koger, Susan M. Psychology of environmental problems. V. Title.
GE195.7.S36 2015
363.7—dc23
2014040334
ISBN: 978-1-84872-579-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-84872-580-5 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-72271-9 (ebk)
Typeset in ITC Stone Serif
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
4
Dedication
For our daughters: Maren, Clara, Maya, Tess, Maeve, and Sylvie.
You are forever in our hearts and your future is always on our minds.
Thank you, Deborah, for providing the shoulders on which we stand.
5
Contents
Foreword (by Deborah Du Nann Winter)
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
PART 1 WHAT ON EARTH ARE WE DOING?
Chapter 1 There Are No Environmental Problems
Biology’s Bottom Line: Carrying Capacity
Overconsumption: Our Ecological Footprint
Energy
Water
Food
Material Goods
Conclusion
Chapter 2 How Did We Get Here? From Western Thought to “Wise Use”
The Nature of Western Thought
Humans Are Separate from Nature
Nature Can and Should Be Controlled
Individuals Have a Right to Maximum Economic Gain
Progress Equals Growth
Divergent Voices
Environmentalism in the United States
Preservation and Conservation of Wilderness
The World Wars and Modern Living
Silent Spring and the Green Decade
Professional Environmentalism, Direct Action, and Wise Use
6
Partisan Policies and a Persistent Paradigm
Conclusion
Chapter 3 Where Do We Go from Here? Developing an Ecological Worldview
Ecological Principles
All Life Is Interdependent
Small Actions Can Cause Big Consequences
Life Systems Are Circular
There Are Limits to Growth
Diversity Equals Resilience
Upstream Solutions Are Better than Downstream Solutions
Living the Dream of a Sustainable World
Food
Interconnection
Circular Systems
Limits to Growth
Upstream Solutions
Diversity Is Resilience
Material Goods
Interconnection
Circular Systems
Limits to Growth
Upstream Solutions
Diversity Is Resilience
The Functions of Individual Behavior
Conclusion
PART 2 PSYCHOLOGY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Chapter 4 Psychology Can Help Save the Planet
Growth in Green Psychology
Psychology as a Sustainability Science
7
What Psychologists Study: Operational Definitions of Variables
Whom Psychologists Study: Participants
How Psychologists Study: Research Designs
Laboratory Experiments
Correlational Studies
Field Experiments
Quasi-Experiments in the Field
Running the Numbers: Statistical Analysis
Measurement Tools for the Psychology of Sustainability
Limits to Empiricism
Conclusion
Chapter 5 The Power of the (Unsustainable) Situation
Basics of Behavior Modification
You Catch More Flies with Honey
Timing Is Everything
The Short and Long of It
Old Habits Die Hard
Basics of Social Influence
We Do as Others Do
We Do as Others Push Us to Do
We Do What Makes Us Look Best
Engineering Sustainable Situations
Antecedent Strategies: What to Do and When to Do It
Information
Prompts
Modeling
Consequence Strategies: Was It Worth It?
Incentives
Informational Feedback
Social Feedback
8
Combining Contingencies
Conclusion
Chapter 6 It’s Not Easy Thinking Green
Two Systems for Thinking
The Analytic System
The Automatic System
Careful Reasoning versus Quick Intuition
Cognitive Roots of Environmental Degradation
Perceptual Limits
Temporal Discounting
Affect
Availability Heuristic
Biases
Automaticity
Cognition for a Sustainable World
Raise Awareness
Increase Personal Relevance
Elicit Emotion
Encourage Intention
Provide Appropriate Knowledge
Moving toward a Greener World … Automatically
Conclusion
Chapter 7 Putting the “I” in Environment
How I Think
Knowledge
Beliefs
Attitudes and Values
Thinking Style
Who I Am
Personality
9
Identity
Gender
Conclusion
Chapter 8 To Be (Green), or Not to Be (Green) … It’s a Question of Motivation
Motivation Grows from Within
Seeded by Basic Needs
Rooted in Core Values
Planted in Perceptions of Control
Situations Can Nurture Motivation
Fairness Helps It Sprout
Goals Direct Its Growth
Feedback Is the Fertilizer
Cultivating Change at Different Stages of Growth
Conclusion
PART 3 WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE PLANET IS GOOD FOR US
Chapter 9 Making Ourselves Sick: Health Costs of Unsustainable Living
Stressors in the Human Zoo
Sleep Deprivation
Overactivity and Inactivity
Malnutrition
Our Own Worst Enemy
The Toxic Sea around Us
Detecting Effects
Disabilities and Disorders in Children
Reproductive Abnormalities in Adults
Health Hazards of Climate Change
Conclusion
Chapter 10 Healing the Split between Planet and Self: We All Need to Walk on the Wild
Side
The Ecological Unconscious and Biophilia
10
