What does psychology have to do with climate change?
As part of my involvement in the sustainability office this summer I am working with Professor Christie Manning on a research project addressing the psychology of Climate Change. Our studies focus on exploring the effects of efficacy on pro-environmental actions, as well as understanding the intersectionality of race and ethnicity with environmental sustainability actions and perceptions. For a little bit of a background on this, efficacy refers to one’s perceived ability to successfully produce a desired outcome. There are three main types of efficacy we have focused on in our research; self-efficacy, which most directly relates to that first definition; collective efficacy, which speaks to the ability of generating an intended result together as a collection of people; and response efficacy, which focuses more on whether the action being taken will successfully have an impact on the issue at hand.
During this process of data collection Professor Manning and I have conducted four different studies, all sharing an overarching theme while focusing on smaller more specific questions around the topic of race/ethnicity and efficacy in the context of the environmental crisis. Bringing these aspects into conjunction, we were particularly interested in exploring how perceptions and feelings of efficacy are differentiated between identities. Additionally, how the identities formed by people of diverse racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. affect their perceptions of climate change.
Throughout our studies we have also looked at ways in which climate change messaging structures can more successfully appeal to readers, for instance, by sharing stories from the perspectives of different types of individuals who are heavily involved or being affected by the issue (i.e. youth, scientists of different races, minority identifying citizens). We have also tried to incorporate accounts of heightened response and self-efficacy into the messages, hoping this will shape the audience’s perception of the ease with which they can enact change. Below are some examples of what some of our messages looked like in different studies.
This summer we have focused our efforts on condensing all the relevant information gathered throughout our research into one written account. Our goal is to understand how to effectively strengthen sense of efficacy amongst minority communities, and whether this is likely to promote pro-environmental actions.
Historically the environmental movement has been focused around white, often wealthier individuals, failing to understand the obstacles that prevent minority communities from feeling as though they have the ability to enact change within this area. Thus, this research poses important social implications for the way in which we incentivize environmental sustainability both on campus and beyond. We believe the work we are doing is especially important since we must strive to include a wider bracket of the population in our efforts to combat climate change if we hope to successfully move the United States toward a more promising and sustainable future.
If you are interested in learning more about the role of minorities within the environmental movement, their higher susceptibility to environmental hazards and their response to climate change visit these links:
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/03/minorities-have-broader-view-environmental-issues
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/race-ethnicity-and-public-responses-to-climate-change/
You can also read more about our first two studies, the procedures used, and some of our main findings by following this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oHqyz1w6VsLwUwi9Em72MhQmmTWttT7vOgdC9-NkGvY/edit
Written by Macalester Sustainability Office student worker Laura Botero
During this process of data collection Professor Manning and I have conducted four different studies, all sharing an overarching theme while focusing on smaller more specific questions around the topic of race/ethnicity and efficacy in the context of the environmental crisis. Bringing these aspects into conjunction, we were particularly interested in exploring how perceptions and feelings of efficacy are differentiated between identities. Additionally, how the identities formed by people of diverse racial and ethnic groups in the U.S. affect their perceptions of climate change.
Throughout our studies we have also looked at ways in which climate change messaging structures can more successfully appeal to readers, for instance, by sharing stories from the perspectives of different types of individuals who are heavily involved or being affected by the issue (i.e. youth, scientists of different races, minority identifying citizens). We have also tried to incorporate accounts of heightened response and self-efficacy into the messages, hoping this will shape the audience’s perception of the ease with which they can enact change. Below are some examples of what some of our messages looked like in different studies.
The first image shows the beginning of an article used in one of the manipulations for our first study. The second image was a part of our fourth study, in which the participants saw a handful of slides with pictures and text.
This summer we have focused our efforts on condensing all the relevant information gathered throughout our research into one written account. Our goal is to understand how to effectively strengthen sense of efficacy amongst minority communities, and whether this is likely to promote pro-environmental actions.
Historically the environmental movement has been focused around white, often wealthier individuals, failing to understand the obstacles that prevent minority communities from feeling as though they have the ability to enact change within this area. Thus, this research poses important social implications for the way in which we incentivize environmental sustainability both on campus and beyond. We believe the work we are doing is especially important since we must strive to include a wider bracket of the population in our efforts to combat climate change if we hope to successfully move the United States toward a more promising and sustainable future.
If you are interested in learning more about the role of minorities within the environmental movement, their higher susceptibility to environmental hazards and their response to climate change visit these links:
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2020/03/minorities-have-broader-view-environmental-issues
https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/publications/race-ethnicity-and-public-responses-to-climate-change/
You can also read more about our first two studies, the procedures used, and some of our main findings by following this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oHqyz1w6VsLwUwi9Em72MhQmmTWttT7vOgdC9-NkGvY/edit
Written by Macalester Sustainability Office student worker Laura Botero
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