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Lifestyle: suggesting mechanisms and a definition from a cognitive science perspective

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Abstract

The concept of lifestyle is rather difficult to pin down. It is used in a variety of disciplines and related to many different problems. In our highly modern society, lifestyle is more often mentioned as something we need to change in order to achieve a sustainable development. Our main interest then is how we create and change a lifestyle. How can we understand why it is sometimes difficult to achieve change? In relation to terms like beliefs, desires, intentions, habits and artefacts six factors will be suggested. Within these factors we may have a foundation for a mechanism underlying the creation and change of lifestyle. A definition of the concept of lifestyle from a cognitive science perspective will also be suggested, as derived from the same foundation and terms related to it.

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Notes

  1. See The Asian Age, New Delhi, 4 January 2007, p. 4.

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Acknowledgement

I would like to thank Adlerbertska forskningsstiftelsen for research funding. I also would like to thank Daniel Johansson and Michael Walls for language advice.

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  1. Kollegium SSKKII, Dicksonsgatan 12, Goteborg, 41256, Sweden

    Mikael Jensen

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  1. Mikael Jensen
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Correspondence to Mikael Jensen.

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Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.

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Jensen, M. Lifestyle: suggesting mechanisms and a definition from a cognitive science perspective. Environ Dev Sustain 11, 215–228 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-007-9105-4

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