Psychology is the study of the mind and of human behavior. As a discipline, psychology embraces all aspects of the human experience — from the biological bases of behavior, to political negotiations, to learning and cognition, to care for the aging, and much more. Accordingly, psychological science has identified solutions to many of the challenges associated with progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they relate to improving the human condition.
The SDGs were adopted by all 193 Member States in 2015 as a blueprint for human progress in the 21st century. As the Global Agenda of the UN, the SDGs were envisioned to be a living force which would include key metrics associated with social, economic, and environmental advancements within and among countries by 2030. Envisioning how to improve the lives of everyone everywhere requires an understanding of how human behavior, policy, and environmental factors contribute to progress, as well as how lives are affected when efforts fall short. Today, many psychologists are committed to advocating for the SDGs by applying psychological science to advance peace, prosperity, and well-being worldwide.
While we recognize the interrelatedness of the 17 global goals, we illustrate how psychological research and strategies can contribute to and guide progress on nine of the SDGs.