摘要:

The goals of this issue on psychology and the promotion of a sustainable future are (1) to introduce the breadth of environmental problems that currently face humanity, (2) to explore alternative courses of action that might facilitate the attainment of a sustainable future, (3) to expose the reader to interdisciplinary perspectives regarding sustainability, and (4) to introduce the results of empirical research whose application can assist in the promotion of sustainability. This first article provides a brief introduction to the environmental problems facing the world, an overview of social science research related to sustainability, and a summary of the articles in this issue.

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01345.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Many areas of social research show that images of the future influence behavior. There is evidence that traditional images of the future are becoming less believable and that we are becoming less hopeful about the future. This article explores emerging images of a sustainable society to assess their potential for renewing our sense of hope and social purpose. Four different images or scenarios are set out of the level of change that may be required to reach a sustainable future. Rough quantitative estimates are used to test the feasibility of the scenarios. The analysis suggests that most of these scenarios are well within the realm of physical possibility. It also shows that emerging images of a sustainable society have the characteristics possessed by other images of the future that have been highly influential in Western history and in other cultures. They are believable, highly positive, and open‐ended, inviting further elaboration. They specifically respond to key challenges facing our society. And they set out a story of “what is happening” and “what could be” that provides an integrative perspective on the significance of today's events an

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01346.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Current trends in environmental degradation and social disorder raise serious questions about the long‐term viability of ecological and social systems. To address effectively the range of problems we face, changes in values and beliefs, and in economic, social, and political practices will be necessary. These needed changes are summarized, along with actions that could help initiate them. Twelve priority actions are considered in terms of how they could alleviate the problems and how the actions could be implemented. Ecological and societal literacy may be necessary conditions for change, ecological tax reform may be an important intermediate step, and social marketing media campaigns could catalyze behavioral change and facilitate progress toward a sustainable futur

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01347.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The worldview that gives rise to contemporary Euro‐American values is examined and found to be no longer adaptive. The problem is traced to some of the subconscious beliefs and assumptions that underlie that worldview. In particular, our beliefs about “human nature,” about the causes of “scarcity,” and about the nature of “progress,” are questioned, and the ways these beliefs have led to socially and environmentally destructive institutions are traced. Sustainability, which requires both ecological awareness and sensitivity to human social needs, will depend on replacing maladaptive assumptions with others: namely, that humans are not naturally selfish, but are prosocial; that scarcity for humans is not primarily a condition of Nature, but is culturally caused; and that progress means not growing bigger or more complex, but adapting to change. These new beliefs will lead to new, more adaptive values and

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01348.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The present global system aims at economic integration for the sake of maximizing “growth” as measured by the gross national product (GNP). This leads to sustained efforts to destroy all national barriers to trade and to make all people interdependent. The results are widespread injustice and unsustainable pressures on the environment. The Brundtland Commission's proposal of “sustainable development,” which involves expanding the entire economy five‐ to tenfold, will not work. Increasing the GNP does not correspond well with improving economic welfare, much less with social well‐being. Realizing this noncorrespondence may make it possible to develop an economic order that is geared to meeting the needs of people rather than increasing production. Such an economy would be decentralized and organized from th

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01349.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The path to societal sustainability is strewn with barriers, opponents, and traps. That path is mainly uncharted and we can only imagine the barriers that lie ahead. By rehearsing in our minds what the barriers will look like and how they might be surmounted, we will be better prepared for the arduous expedition. Some of the barriers result from deficiencies in consciousness, knowledge, and information. People cannot intentionally change things they do not cognize. Significant barriers are being erected by opponents of environmental protection. Additional barriers stem from being trapped in our culture. Becoming aware of these barriers constitutes the first step toward finding ways to surmount them. I suggest possible solutions for some barriers but others defy solution at this time.

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01350.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

It is widely assumed that public concern for environmental quality is dependent on affluence, and is therefore stronger in wealthy nations than in poor nations. This assumption is tested via results from a 1992 international survey conducted by the George H. Gallup International Institute that obtained data on a wide range of environmental perceptions and opinions from citizens in 24 economically and geographically diverse nations. Aggregate, national‐level scores for a variety of measures of public concern for environmental quality were created and correlated with per capita gross national product. Although the results vary considerably depending upon the measure, overall national affluence is more often negatively rather than positively related to citizen concern for environmental quality—contradicting conventional wis

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01351.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Attaining a sustainable future will involve dramatic changes to contemporary lifestyles. In order to promote these changes effectively it is essential to have a clear comprehension of the variables characteristic of individuals who engage in responsible environmental behavior. To this end, this paper presents three studies. The first study illustrates that no common set of variables can be used to predict a wide range of proenvironmental activity. The second study clarifies the factors that predict householders' composting, while the third study investigates householders who invest in energy efficiency.

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01352.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Handling the huge amount of solid waste generated by our “throw‐away society” is a major threat to a sustainable future. Recycling of used products is one important contribution toward sustainability, and social science research can help to increase its success. Of the many varied forms of recycling, residential curbside recycling is fast becoming the dominant form in the U.S., but it has been little studied. This article briefly reviews earlier research on other forms of recycling and describes the findings of several recent studies of curbside programs, including the new commingled collection method. In addition, it summarizes a study on the growth of paper recycling by businesses, and a study of consumers' environmentally conscious “green buying,” which can help reduce the overall amount of solid waste that is

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01353.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Theory and principles from behaviorism and humanism are integrated to propose a synergistic approach for dealing with the human aspects of environmental protection. Numerous intervention agents are needed worldwide to implement the kind of behavior‐change techniques that lead to positive attitudes. This requires people to “actively care.” Research is reviewed to support an actively caring model, which proposes that certain person states increase one's propensity to actively care for the environment. Strategies to increase these person states or expectancies are found in the basic principles and technology of behaviorism. Behaviorism offers the technology for changing behaviors and attitudes in environment‐protective directions, while humanism offers the states or expectancies needed in people to increase their propensity to actively care for the envi

ISSN:0022-4537    

DOI:10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01354.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY