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CS92PROD
Psychology of Environmental Issues
PSYC 318
Fall 2014
Section: 01  

Environmental issues, such as climate change and the overconsumption of resources, are some of the most pressing problems facing our world. Many environmental psychologists specifically investigate how people think about and respond to these global challenges. In this course, we will discuss how psychological mechanisms help explain the roots of various environmental problems, and can also be used when designing interventions to address these issues. We will focus on both individual processes (cognitive processes, motivation, behavior change, connection with nature) and social processes (cultural worldviews, group relationships, media messages, social movements). Some of the broader questions addressed in this class are: Why are people generally unconcerned about climate change?; Why is material consumption highly valued in American society; and What motivates individuals to become involved in environmental social movements? Throughout the semester, students will practice applying the concepts learned in class to a specific environmental issue of their choice.
Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS PSYC
Course Format: SeminarGrading Mode: Graded
Level: UGRD Prerequisites: None
Fulfills a Major Requirement for: (PSYC)
Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available

Last Updated on MAR-28-2024
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