Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalogue 
    
2017-2018 Academic Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

PSY 243-1 - Psychological Insights: Environmental Problems (FYS) (1)

Human behavior is at the root of almost all environmental problems: We drive gas guzzling cars (contributing to both global warming and depletion of natural resources), produce tons of refuse, deplete water resources (build golf courses in the desert). This course explores facets of psychology that can help explain why we act as we do and how we might change behavior toward greater sustainability. We review some basic psychological principles as they apply to the environment: What are the thinking processes that lead some people to accept and others to reject concepts like global warming? How do people develop their basic value systems, and how do things like emotions and culture impact this? Even when people want to change their behaviors, what are the barriers that make change difficult? Course includes an analysis and application of these principles to a local issue. GANZEL
(FYS)