The Dragons of Inaction: Psychological Barriers That Limit Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation

Autor/in	Gifford, Robert
Titel	The Dragons of Inaction: Psychological Barriers That Limit Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Quelle	In: American Psychologist, 66 (2011) 4, S. 290-302 PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0003-066X
DOI	10.1037/a0023566
Schlagwörter	Forschungsbericht; Climate; Change; Behavior Change; Barriers; Resistance to Change; Adjustment (to Environment); Psychologists; Psychology; Cognitive Processes; World Views; Sustainability; Cost Effectiveness; Risk; Value Judgment + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Klima; Wandel; Psychologist; Psychologe; Psychologin; Psychologie; Cognitive process; Kognitiver Prozess; World view; Weltanschauung; Nachhaltigkeit; Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse; Kosten-Nutzen-Denken; Risiko; Werturteil
Abstract	Most people think climate change and sustainability are important problems, but too few global citizens engaged in high-greenhouse-gas-emitting behavior are engaged in enough mitigating behavior to stem the increasing flow of greenhouse gases and other environmental problems. Why is that? Structural barriers such as a climate-averse infrastructure are part of the answer, but psychological barriers also impede behavioral choices that would facilitate mitigation, adaptation, and environmental sustainability. Although many individuals are engaged in some ameliorative action, most could do more, but they are hindered by seven categories of psychological barriers, or "dragons of inaction": limited cognition about the problem, ideological worldviews that tend to preclude pro-environmental attitudes and behavior, comparisons with key other people, sunk costs and behavioral momentum, discredence toward experts and authorities, perceived risks of change, and positive but inadequate behavior change. Structural barriers must be removed wherever possible, but this is unlikely to be sufficient. Psychologists must work with other scientists, technical experts, and policymakers to help citizens overcome these psychological barriers. (Contains 1 table and 3 footnotes.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Begutachtung	Peer reviewed
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10