Psychology TopicsEnvironment
Rapid population growth and technological advances have made it possible for human behavior to change the global environment in major ways, but not all of these changes are positive.
Psychologists are searching for ways to change destructive behaviors and embrace beneficial ones, such as recycling, using public transportation and enhancing energy efficiency. Their research explores people’s attitudes toward environmental issues, what factors determine those attitudes and how those attitudes affect behavior.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
What You Can Do
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Climate and Environmental Psychology Contributes to a Better World
Climate and environmental psychologists use psychological science to improve the interactions of people with the world around us.
- Society's Grand Challenges - Global Climate Change (PDF, 1.0MB)
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Postgrad growth area: Environmental psychology
Psychologists are increasingly at the forefront of efforts to protect the planet.
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Psychology and Global Climate Change:
Addressing a Multi-faceted Phenomenon and Set of ChallengesThe task force examined psychology’s role in understanding and addressing global climate change, including efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Getting Help
- Find a Psychologist
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Shaping Pro-Environment Behaviors
Psychologists are discovering what messages work best to encourage environmentally friendly behavior.
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This Is Psychology: Climate change
In a recent episode of APA's video series, "This Is Psychology," CEO Norman B. Anderson, PhD, shares how psychologists have insights and solutions to address the problem of climate change.
Monitor on Psychology Articles
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Smog in our brains
July 2012
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Going green
February 2012
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Wild encounters
November 2009
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Changing minds to prevent climate change
October 2009
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Crafting persuasive pro-environment messages
October 2005