The Psychology of Environmental Problems: Psychology for Sustainability

by Koger; Susan M.

• ISBN13: 9781848728097
• ISBN10: 1848728093
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2010-03-16
• Publisher: Psychology Pres

Summary

This compelling and insightful textbook demonstrates how eight major approaches in psychology ' social, psychoanalytical, behavioral, cognitive, physiological, health, developmental, and holistic ' can be applied to create a more sustainable society. After outlining current environmental difficulties and historical antecedents, these various perspectives offer guidance for changing individual and collective behavior.This 3rd edition is thoroughly revised and updated throughout, and features new chapters on the neuropsychology of toxic exposures, health and the psychology of environmental stress, and developmental psychology. It offers a comprehensive review of literature in various subdisciplines, demonstrating the wide applicability and relevance of psychology for addressing imminent environmental threats. Like both previous editions, the book's tone is widely accessible and engaging -- and no previous background in psychology or environmental science is assumed or required. The use of personal examples and cartoons help engage the reader. the 3rd edition is also accompanied by online resources for instructors.The Psychology of Environmental Problems: Psychology for Sustainability, 3 rd Edition can 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 audience of policymakers, legislators, and those working on sustainable communities.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. xiii
Preface: The Why, the What, and the How of This Book	p. xv
Acknowledgments	p. xxi
What on Earth Are We Doing?	p. 1
Psychology as an Environmental Science	p. 3
The Nature of the Problem	p. 4
Biology's Bottom Line: Carrying Capacity	p. 6
Climate Change	p. 13
Other Resource Issues	p. 16
Psychological Reactions to Environmental Threats	p. 19
The Psychology of Overconsumption	p. 23
Cultural Versus Biological Carrying Capacity	p. 27
Conclusions	p. 29
The Nature of Western Thought	p. 31
The Intellectual Roots of the DSP and Psychology	p. 34
The Western View of Nature	p. 38
Assumption 1: Nature is Composed of Inert, Physical Elements	p. 39
Assumption 2: Nature Can and Should be Controlled	p. 42
Assumption 3: Individual Human Beings Seek Private Economic Gain	p. 47
Assumption 4: We Must Progress	p. 52
The Nature of Nonindustrialized Thought	p. 57
Conclusions	p. 61
Psychoanalytic Psychology: Becoming Conscious of the Unconscious	p. 63
The Influence of Freud	p. 64
The Basis and Basics of Freud's Theory	p. 66
Critique of Freud and Psychoanalysis	p. 79
Object Relations Theory: Reexperiencing the Mother	p. 80
Excessive Early Demands	p. 82
Attention Withdrawn Too Early	p. 84
Using Freud's Ideas	p. 87
The Psychoanalysis of Environmentalists	p. 90
Conclusions	p. 92
Social Psychology: Under the Influence of Others	p. 95
Norms	p. 96
Social Norms	p. 97
Personal Norms	p. 102
Identity	p. 103
Personal Norms and Environmental Justice	p. 104
Altruism, Morality, and the Values Beliefs Norms Theory	p. 107
Theory of Planned Behavior	p. 111
Cognitive Dissonance Theory	p. 115
Comparison of Models Linking Behavior to Attitudes	p. 117
Who Cares About the Environment?	p. 118
The Social Psychology of Materialism	p. 122
The Unhappy Results of Materialism	p. 126
Materialism and the Economy	p. 128
Conclusions	p. 129
Behavioral Psychology: Contingency Management	p. 131
Operant Conditioning	p. 133
Antecedent Strategies: Changing the SDs	p. 140
Consequence Strategies: Changing the SRs	p. 142
Behavioral Self-Control	p. 152
Limitations of the Behavioral Approach	p. 157
Forgoing Freedom	p. 160
Conclusions	p. 162
Neuropsychology of Toxic Exposures	p. 165
Toxic Exposures	p. 166
Neurodevelopment	p. 169
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities	p. 172
Cognitive and Attentional Impairments	p. 172
Autism	p. 177
Behavioral and Motor Problems	p. 177
Psychosocial and Psychiatric Disorders	p. 178
Toxic Effects in Adults	p. 179
Accelerated Aging	p. 180
Parkinson's Disease	p. 180
Reproductive Abnormalities	p. 181
Establishing Cause and Effect: A Research Nightmare	p. 182
Legislative Issues	p. 186
The Costs of Neurotoxins	p. 188
Building the Perfect Beast: The Irony of Pesticides	p. 190
Behavioral Solutions	p. 191
Conclusions	p. 192
Cognitive Psychology: Information Processing	p. 195
Information Processing Models	p. 196
The Computer Revolution	p. 198
The Constraints of GIGO	p. 199
Additional Constraints on Information Processing	p. 209
Framing Effects	p. 214
Using Cognitive Psychology to Solve Environmental Problems	p. 215
Risk Assessment: Whose Quantification Problem Is It?	p. 216
The Role of Emotions in Judgment of Risk	p. 219
Retaining a Voice	p. 223
Conclusions	p. 224
Health and the Psychology of Environmental Stress	p. 227
Stress	p. 228
Physiology of the Stress Response	p. 228
Psychological Components of the Stress Response	p. 232
Stress-Associated Health Risks	p. 233
Stress-Associated Behavioral Disorders	p. 236
Stress-Associated Psychological Disorders	p. 242
Stressful Environments	p. 243
Urban Living	p. 243
Noise Pollution	p. 245
Climate Change, Weather and Air Pollution	p. 245
Environmental Toxins	p. 247
Why Do People Choose Stressful Behaviors and Environments?	p. 249
Solution Approaches: Strategies for Reducing Stress	p. 250
Restorative Environments	p. 251
Wilderness Therapy	p. 254
Green Urban Planning	p. 254
Green Buildings	p. 257
Conclusions	p. 258
Developmental Psychology: Growing Healthy Children in Nature	p. 261
Indoor Children	p. 262
Benefits of Nature	p. 267
Cognitive Development and Reasoning Skills	p. 270
Moral Development	p. 271
Mental Health	p. 275
Children and Animals	p. 278
Fostering Proenvironmental Behaviors in Children	p. 279
Environmental Education	p. 281
Conclusions	p. 287
Holistic Approaches: Gestalt and Ecopsychology	p. 289
Gestalt Psychology	p. 290
Laboratory Confirmation: Group Effects in Social Dilemma Games	p. 292
Gestalt Therapy	p. 295
Mindfulness	p. 297
The Ecological Self: The Self Beyond the Self	p. 299
Ecopsychology	p. 302
Evaluating Ecopsychology: The Measurement Problem	p. 305
Biodiversity from an Ecopsychological Perspective	p. 309
Emotional Dimensions of Ecopsychology	p. 313
The Ecopsychology of Place	p. 317
Conclusions	p. 318
Putting it Together: Using Psychology to Build a Sustainable World	p. 321
Comparing the Approaches: Psychological Insights	p. 323
Visualize an Ecologically Healthy World	p. 329
Work with Big Ideas and Small Steps	p. 333
Think Circle Instead of Line	p. 334
Less is More	p. 339
Practice Conscious Consumption	p. 343
Act on Personal and Political Levels, Especially Local Community Participation	p. 346
Conclusions	p. 352
The Cost of Inaction	p. 353
References	p. 355
Appendix: How to Do It	p. 429
Author Index	p. 447
Subject Index	p. 463
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