Consumption and sustainability: themes in applied psychology adressing consumer and environmental behavior

Recommended Prerequisites

Social Psychology, Motivational and Emotional processes.

Teaching Methods

1. Oral presentation of theory

2. Oral presentation of assignments by students and discussion in the group

3. Revision and critic of texts, such as academic/divulgation, media, and research reports

4. Elaboration /adaptation of research/intervention tools for problem resolution or field study of a restricted scope : interviews; questionnaires; sensibilitation /persuation exercises; persuation publicity messages.

Learning Outcomes

1. Theorization of consumption and consumer behavior with impact upon the environment and pro-environmental behaviors, theory that applies to them, behavior change and other systemic interventions for the promotion of environmental-protective behaviors, and research traditions in their study. Understand interdisciplinary relations in this field.

2. Identify psychological and social processes in consumer behaviour and person-environment relations.

3. Analyze and discuss different texts about consumption and environmental protection.

4. Train the application of concepts in analyzing and discussing research reports, surveys, case studies, and evaluation reports, and through the active involvement of students in the elaboration of questionnaires, interviews, and diffusion materials.

5. Train Skills for literature search and review.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I - Concepts pertaining to consumer behavior with impacto n environment and proenvironemnetal behavior; person_environment interaction. A) Consumption, desire and well-being; Consumption and identity. B) Contexts, natural and common resources in the ecological perspective and sustainability problem.

II - Psychological processes in the understanding of consumer and proenvironmental behavior: cognitive, motivational, emotional, and social and cultural influences. Interdependence and relational processes; decision in the context of social dilemmas; Values and norms’ roles upon behavior. Integrative theories of consumer behavior impacting the environment.

III - Complex and global systems and principles in addressing environmental risks’ management.

IV - Management, communication and persuasion processes for behavior change and management of contingencies; community interventions.

Head Lecturer(s)

Maria São João Castilho Breda

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 25.0%
Resolution Problems: 35.0%
Synthesis work: 40.0%

Bibliography

Bagozzi, R., Z. Gurhan-Canli, & J. Priester (2011). The Social Psychology of Consumer Behaviour. Open University Press.

Haugtvedt, C.T., Herr, P.M & Kardes,F.R. (2008). Handbook Of Consumer Psychology. New York: Psychology Press, Taylor and Francis.

Wänke, M. (2009). Social Psychology of Consumer Behavior. New York: Psychological Press, Taylor & Francis.

Gardner, G.T. and Stern, P.C. (2002). Environmental Problems and Human Behavior. Boston: Pearson Learning.

Bechtel, R.B., and Churchman, A. (2002) (Eds). Handbook of Environmental Psychology. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

Jackson, T. (2005). Motivating Sustainable Consumption. Report to the Sustainable Development Research Network. U. of  Surrey.

Olander F, Thogersen J.(1995). Understanding of Consumer Behaviour as a Prerequisite for Environmental Protection. Journal of Consumer Policy, 18: 345-85.

Hayoz & H. Gutscher, Changing Things-Moving People: strategies for promoting sustainable development at the local level. Basel, Switzet