Investigating the causes of environmentally significant human behaviour, environmental psychology is a fairly new multidisciplinary science.
Amongst others it has evolved from social psychology and has advanced to an integral approach of understanding individuals’ behaviour that directly or indirectly, noticed or unnoticed affects the natural environment and the dynamics of ecosystems.
To overcome the gap of knowledge why people behave like they actually do, psychologists have drawn up models and theories
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Background and Psychological Models
2.1. Stern’s Value-Belief-Norm Theory
2.2. Social Psychology and Multi-Cause Perspectives
3. Case Studies of Environmentally Significant Behaviours
3.1. Cycling and Personal Environment
3.2. Biomass-Fuelled Car Transportation
3.3. Electrical Space Heating Efficiency
4. Synthesis and Conclusion
Objectives and Research Themes
This assignment aims to investigate the complex underlying causes of environmentally significant human behaviour by moving beyond reductionist psychological views toward a more holistic, multi-causal framework.
- Comparison of psychological theories like the Theory of Planned Behaviour and Value-Belief-Norm.
- Examination of the interaction between personal values and contextual, external conditions.
- Analysis of specific behaviours including cycling, bio-fuel vehicle use, and residential heating.
- Evaluation of personal capabilities and knowledge as significant barriers to pro-environmental change.
Excerpt from the Book
Understanding the causes of environmentally significant behaviours
Investigating the causes of environmentally significant human behaviour, environmental psychology is a fairly new multidisciplinary science. Amongst others it has evolved from social psychology and has advanced to an integral approach of understanding individuals’ behaviour that directly or indirectly, noticed or unnoticed affects the natural environment and the dynamics of ecosystems.
To overcome the gap of knowledge why people behave like they actually do, psychologists have drawn up models and theories [DMU, 2006a]. Besides the well-known and acknowledged ‘Theory of Planned Behaviour’ by Icek Ajzen, that regards intended behaviour to be a result of outcome attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behaviour control, and the ‘Theory of Interpersonal Behaviour’ by Harry C. Triandis, that adds habitual aspects to the theoretical model-stock as a possible driver for observed human behaviour, only Paul C. Stern’s ‘Value-Belief-Norm’ theory, derived from S. Schwartz’s ‘Norm-Activated’ theory, especially focuses on environmentally significant behaviour [DMU, 2006c]. According to Stern, personal values create the so called New Environmental Paradigm (NEP), which can be described as an occurrence of a specific pro-environmental worldview. This worldview contributes to the individual’s awareness of adverse consequences of its behaviour to valued things or others. Resultant a feeling of at least a shared responsibility is created and finally a personal norm including the perceived obligation to act in a pro-environmental way to avert harms culminates in environmental positive behaviour [Stern, 2000].
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces environmental psychology as a multidisciplinary field focused on understanding human impacts on the natural environment.
2. Theoretical Background and Psychological Models: This section reviews core psychological frameworks such as the Theory of Planned Behaviour and the Value-Belief-Norm theory to explain individual decision-making processes.
3. Case Studies of Environmentally Significant Behaviours: This chapter applies theoretical models to practical examples like commuting by bike, using bio-fuel cars, and managing electrical heating to highlight the role of contextual barriers.
4. Synthesis and Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes findings, emphasizing that environmental behaviour is influenced by a complex interplay of personal and contextual variables.
Keywords
Environmental psychology, Value-Belief-Norm theory, Theory of Planned Behaviour, human behaviour, pro-environmental, contextual factors, personal values, sustainability, ecosystem, bio-fuel, cycling, electrical heating, individual decision-making, multidisciplinary, environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this academic work?
The work focuses on understanding the underlying psychological and contextual causes of environmentally significant human behaviour.
Which central thematic fields are analyzed?
It examines the interplay between personal psychological factors, such as values and norms, and external contextual conditions that influence environmental decision-making.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The goal is to explore why individuals act in environmentally significant ways and to demonstrate that a multi-causal approach is more effective than reductionist psychological models.
Which scientific methodology is primarily employed?
The author employs a theoretical analysis and literature review, applying established psychological models to specific real-world case studies.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section evaluates specific behaviours—cycling, bio-fuel vehicle use, and residential heating—to illustrate the tension between personal attitudes and external barriers.
Which keywords characterize the essence of this study?
Key terms include environmental psychology, Value-Belief-Norm theory, contextual factors, sustainability, and personal responsibility.
How does the Theory of Planned Behaviour differ from Stern's Value-Belief-Norm theory in this context?
The Theory of Planned Behaviour focuses on attitudes and perceived control, while Stern’s theory specifically addresses how personal values lead to a sense of moral obligation and pro-environmental action.
Why is the example of electrical heating considered an important case study?
It highlights how contextual barriers, such as a lack of knowledge or financial limitations, can render even pro-environmental attitudes ineffective in practice.
- Quote paper
- Bastian Görke (Author), 2006, Environmentally Significant Behaviours. Understanding the Causes, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1030689
