ERIC Number: EJ1119170
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Nov
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1475-7257
EISSN: N/A
Teaching Psychology for Sustainability: The Why and How
Koger, Susan M.; Scott, Britain A.
Psychology Learning and Teaching, v15 n3 p214-225 Nov 2016
The behavioral sciences can make vital contributions to environmental sustainability efforts, as relevant basic and applied psychological research has grown considerably over the past dozen years. Recently, conservation biologists, environmental policy makers, and other experts have recognized the importance of engaging with experts on human behavior (i.e., psychologists) in order to effect behavioral change in a sustainable direction. Lagging behind this trend, however, is the curricular integration of psychology and environmental sustainability in most psychology or environmental science/studies programs (ESS). Consequently, most psychology majors are graduating with no background in applying the field to promoting sustainability, and ESS students lack explicit education focused on understanding and changing human behavior. This paper provides an introduction to the rationale for integrating sustainability topics into psychology courses, and psychological concepts into ESS classes, along with some strategies for doing so at the level of individual course units as well as full courses.
Descriptors: Psychology, Sustainability, Teaching Methods, Relevance (Education), Educational Practices, Educational Strategies, Environmental Education, Integrated Curriculum, Concept Teaching, Conservation (Concept), Conservation (Environment), Social Influences, Change Strategies
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A