Scaling Up and Out: Psychological Science in the Service of Promoting Sustainable Consumption. (12th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Romero‐Canyas, Rainer; Hiltner, Sofia
• Editors: Ruby, Matthew B.; Walker, Iain; Watkins, Hanne
• Is Part Of: Journal of social issues. Volume 76:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 164
• Page End: 171
• Publication Date: 2020-03-12
• Subjects: Social problems -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; United States -- Social conditions -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Sociology; Psychology, Social; Problèmes sociaux -- Périodiques; Psychologie sociale -- Périodiques; États-Unis -- Conditions sociales -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Sociale psychologie; Electronic journals; 305
• DOI: 10.1111/josi.12375
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4537

Abstract

Abstract: In this commentary for the special issue on the psychology of sustainable consumption, we infer four themes that are evident in the contributions and which serve as principles for psychological science on sustainable consumption. First, research should build on psychological science's existing strengths and expand in new directions, while continuing to improve the overall quality of research standards. Second, sustainability psychology should embrace a problem‐solving, solutions focused approach to go hand‐in‐hand with the traditional focus on theory building of most rigorous areas of psychology. Thinking about solutions will inevitably lead to the third theme, the need to explore broader community, social, cultural, national, and global processes. Research at these levels of analysis is necessary to produce the kind of solutions to environmental problems that can have sufficient impact to reverse the damage humanity has already caused to the planet. The fourth principle is interdisciplinary collaboration, a necessary approach to carry out research and translate knowledge into scalable solutions. The challenge is great, but the stakes are greater and psychologists must be a part of the efforts to bring about effective solutions.