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| Module Availability |
| Semester 1 |
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| Assessment Pattern |
2000 word essay - 25%
90 minute exam - 75%
Students must achieve 40% in each component of assessment. |
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| Module Overview |
The final year option in environmental psychology and sustainable development will introduce students to some of the key questions which currently guide research and practice in environmental psychology. The course will begin by addressing the global and local environmental problems facing our world today. The main focus of the course will be to provide an insight into the research and theory development to date and to familiarise students with the practical and multidisciplinary nature of the field.
By the end of the course students should have an advanced understanding of the nature and scope of some of the principal theoretical and methodological developments in this area of research and an understanding of the application of psychological theory and concepts to an important area of everyday life. |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
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| Module Aims |
| This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the major theoretical formulations and models in the area of risk in order to provide a conceptual underpinning to inform their approach to research and practice, and to o provide students with a knowledge of individual, organisational and social aspects of approaches to environmental risks. |
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| Learning Outcomes |
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By the end of this modules students are expected
· to have an understanding of psychological theories that help understand environmentally relevant behaviour.
· to be able to conduct research and consultancy work on environmental risk issues.
· to be knowledgeable about the philosophy and history of environmental attitude and behaviour change research in order to provide a conceptual underpinning to inform their understanding of the major theoretical formulations and models used to investigate attitude and behaviour change research and practice.
· to have an advanced understanding of methods, theory and practice of environment-behaviour research as related to sustainability and quality of life issues.
· to be able to link theoretical and empirical questions to social and environmental issues with a view to understanding the practical applications and action implications of environmental psychological theories and empirical findings.
· to investigate attitude and behaviour change research and practice.
· to have an advanced understanding of methods, theory and practice of environment-behaviour research as related to sustainability and quality of life issues.
to be able to link theoretical and empirical questions to social and environmental issues with a view to understanding the practical applications and action implications of environmental psychological theories and empirical findings.
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| Module Content |
Introduction. Sustainable Development and Psychology
Explaining pro-environmental behaviour
Public attitudes and response to climate change
Challenging assumptions in behaviour change
Identity, community and a sustainable environment
Identity and environmental behaviour
Behaviour change
Persuasive communication
Changing behaviour or changing the conditions for behaviour?
Environmental risk perception
Consumer behaviour, wellbeing and the environment |
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
| Lectures, paper discussions, workshops |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
Clayton, S. and Myers, G (2009). Conservation Psychology: Understanding and Promoting Human Care for Nature. Wiley Blackwell.
Gardner, G.T. and Stern, P.C. (2002). Environmental Problems and Human Behavior. Boston: Pearson Custom.
Kasser, T and Kanner, A. (2003). Psychology and Consumer Culture. The Struggle for a Good life in a Materialistic World. Washington, APA
Schmuck, P. and Schultz, W. (2002). Psychology of Sustainable Development. Dordrecht: Kluwer. |
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| Last Updated |
| 9th May 2011 |
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