Anthropogenic climate change currently threatens existing systems of human societies, and psychology has a significant role in exploring and untangling the predictors of sustainable behaviors and environmental concern. The present research identifies several individual demographic factors (age, education, and political ideology) as well as various attitudinal and social factors, such as ecological worldview, social identity, and place attachment, and explores their relationship with pro-environmental concern and behavior. The results of this synthesis indicate that there are complex and dynamic associations between these demographic, attitudinal, and social factors, and environmental variables. Several relevant theoretical models are discussed (e.g., Value Belief Norm theory and the Theory of Planned Behavior), a summative model of behavioral predictors is introduced, and implications for community education and policy support are considered.

Smith, Meredith A., and Sharon Kingston. Demographic, Attitudinal, and Social Factors That Predict Pro-Environmental Behavior. Sustainability and Climate Change 14, no.1 (2021): 47-54. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/scc.2020.0063

For more information on the published version, visit Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.'s Website. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/scc.2020.0063

Sharon Kingston is a professor of Psychology at Dickinson College.

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