title: Expanding the role for psychology in addressing environmental challenges.
abstract: Environmental challenges, though daunting, present an important area for psychologists to apply their knowledge. Psychological theories, research methods, and interventions are essential for examining the questions about human impacts, tendencies, and capacities that are integral to constructing effective responses to these challenges. Although a great deal of relevant research has been done, there is scope for psychologists to be more extensively involved. Following a brief review of existing research, we outline some important new directions. We also highlight 2 key divergences, arguing that psychological research needs to expand beyond a traditional, theory-based and decontextualized approach to environmental issues to incorporate a contextualized or "place-based" approach and a willingness to collaborate in interdisciplinary research teams that focus on specific environmental problems. Suggestions for promoting such interdisciplinary collaborations are reviewed. We encourage psychologists to expand their engagement with important environmental issues through multiple research approaches in order to further their understanding of human behavior, contributions to human well-being, and relevance to other disciplines and to society.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The College of Wooster.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clayton
authors.affiliation: Department of Geography, Life, and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Devine-Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swim
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome.
authors.forename: Mirilia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonnes
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Psychology, University of Groningen.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Steg
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Whitmarsh
authors.affiliation: Environmental Studies Program, University of Colorado.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carrico
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D004777:Environment; D006801:Humans; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012107:Research Design