Skip to main content
Log in

Psychological perspectives of ecosystem health

  • Published:
Journal of Aquatic Ecosystem Health

Abstract

Behavior-based and person-based perspectives are integrated to summarize approaches for dealing with the human element of ecosystem health. Behavior is selected by its consequences, and therefore interventions are needed to decrease the natural reinforcing consequences (e.g., convenience, efficiency) of environment-destructive behaviors and to increase the reinforcing consequences of environment-protective behaviors. An ABC Model (for Activator-Behavior-Consequence) can be applied effectively to design intervention programs for benefiting the human behavior aspects of ecosystem health. However, intervention agents are needed to implement positive behavior-change techniques, and this requires people to actively care enough to emit other-directed (or altruistic) behaviors for the health of the ecosystem. Person factors which influence one's propensity to actively care include: self-esteem, belongingness, and empowerment, influenced by perceptions of self-efficacy (I can do it), personal control (I am in control), and optimism (I expect the best). Strategies are reviewed for increasing these person states or expectancies. The health of our ecosystem depends upon people changing their behaviors and attitudes regarding the environment. Behavior-based psychology offers the technology for changing behaviors and attitudes in desirable directions; person-based psychology offers the states or expectancies needed in people to increase their willingness to actively care for the environment. By applying the theory and principles from these subdisciplines of applied psychology, the critical human element of our ecosystem can be accounted for and managed effectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bandura, A., 1977. Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change. Psyc. Rev. 84: 191–215.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cairns, J., Jr., T. V. Crawford & H. Salwasser (eds), in press.Implementing Integrated Environmental Management. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

  • Cone, J. D. & S. C. Hayes, 1980.Environmental Problems/Behavioral Solutions. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company, Monterey, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dennis, M. L., E. J. Soderstorm, W. S. KoncinskiJr. & B. Cavanaugh, 1990. Effective dissemination of energy-related information: Applying social psychology and evaluation research. Amer. Psych. 45: 1109–1117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishbein, M. & I. Ajzen, 1975.Belief, Attitude, Intention and Behavior: An Introduction to Theory and Research. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geller, E. S., in press. The human element in integrated environmental management. In: J. Cairns, Jr., T. V. Crawford & H. Salwasser (eds),Implementing Integrated Environmental Management. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA.

  • Geller, E. S., G. R. Lehman & M. J. Kalsher, 1989.Behavior Analysis Training for Occupational Safety. Make-A-Difference, Inc., Newport, VA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geller, E. S., R. A. Winett & P. B. Everett, 1982.Preserving the Environment: New Strategies for Behavior Change. Pergamon Press, Elmsford, NY.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lauridsen, P. K., 1977.Decreasing gasoline consumption in fleetowned automobiles through feedback and feedback-plus-lottery. Unpub. Masters Thesis, Drake Univ., IA.

  • Rotter, J. B., 1966. Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psych. Monogr. 80(1).

  • Runnion, A., J. D. Watson & J. McWhorter, 1978. Energy savings in interstate transportation through feedback and reinforcement. J. Organ. Behav. Managem. 1: 180–191.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schnelle, J. G., J. G. Gendrich, G. P. Beegle, M. M. Thomas & M. P. McNees, 1980. Mass media techniques for prompting behavior change in the community. Environ. Behav. 12: 157–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seligman, M. E. P., 1991.Learned Optimism. Alfred A. Knoff, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shippee, G., 1980. Energy consumption and conservation psychology: A review and conceptual analysis. Environ. Managem. 4: 297–314.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F.: 1987.Upon Further Reflection. Prentice-Hall Inc., Englewood, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weick, K. E., 1984. Small wins: Redefining the scale of social problems. Amer. Psych. 39: 40–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winett, R. A., 1980. An emerging approach to energy conservation. In: D. Glenwick & L. Jason (eds),Behav. Comm. Psych. Praeger, New York.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scott Geller, E. Psychological perspectives of ecosystem health. J Aquat Ecosyst Stress Recov 3, 59–62 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045157

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045157

Key words

Navigation