Climate change through the lens of self-determination theory : How considering basic psychological needs may bring environmental psychology forward
Wullenkord, Marlis LU
(2020)
In Zeitschrift Umweltpsychologie
24(2).
p.110-129
- Abstract
- In this paper, I argue for how environmental psychology as a discipline could benefit both conceptually and practically from considering basic psychological needs as specified within Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017). I begin with a definition of basic psychological needs as “innate psychological nutriments that are essential for ongoing psychological growth, integrity, and well-being” (Deci & Ryan, 2000, p.3) and outline how this perspective can be utilized to explain human responses to climate change. After introducing and comparing several theories of psychological needs, I focus on Self-Determination Theory, its implications and empirical basis that points to a positive relation between basic psychological need... (More)
- In this paper, I argue for how environmental psychology as a discipline could benefit both conceptually and practically from considering basic psychological needs as specified within Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017). I begin with a definition of basic psychological needs as “innate psychological nutriments that are essential for ongoing psychological growth, integrity, and well-being” (Deci & Ryan, 2000, p.3) and outline how this perspective can be utilized to explain human responses to climate change. After introducing and comparing several theories of psychological needs, I focus on Self-Determination Theory, its implications and empirical basis that points to a positive relation between basic psychological need satisfaction and (self-determined motivation for) pro-environmental behavior. However, more systematic research is warranted that disentangles levels and domains of basic psychological need satisfaction, and specifically considers relations of basic psychological need satisfaction with human responses to climate change. To this end, I propose a working model that may guide future research efforts. I conclude that enabling experiences of basic physiological but also psychological need satisfaction for all people may be a prerequisite to cope with the threat of climate change productively, to foster appropriate responses to climate change, and to work towards a socio ecological transformation. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/c577e3a9-2a1a-4309-a4e9-02253d47bc6d
- author
- Wullenkord, Marlis
LU
- publishing date
- 2020
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Environmental psychology, self-determination theory, basic psychological needs, defensiveness, climate denial, self-protection, pro-environmental behaviors
- in
- Zeitschrift Umweltpsychologie
- volume
- 24
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 19 pages
- ISSN
- 1434-3304
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- id
- c577e3a9-2a1a-4309-a4e9-02253d47bc6d
- alternative location
- http://umps.de/php/artikeldetails.php?id=743
- date added to LUP
- 2022-02-28 20:00:14
- date last changed
- 2025-04-04 14:34:16
@article{c577e3a9-2a1a-4309-a4e9-02253d47bc6d,
abstract = {{In this paper, I argue for how environmental psychology as a discipline could benefit both conceptually and practically from considering basic psychological needs as specified within Self-Determination Theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017). I begin with a definition of basic psychological needs as “innate psychological nutriments that are essential for ongoing psychological growth, integrity, and well-being” (Deci & Ryan, 2000, p.3) and outline how this perspective can be utilized to explain human responses to climate change. After introducing and comparing several theories of psychological needs, I focus on Self-Determination Theory, its implications and empirical basis that points to a positive relation between basic psychological need satisfaction and (self-determined motivation for) pro-environmental behavior. However, more systematic research is warranted that disentangles levels and domains of basic psychological need satisfaction, and specifically considers relations of basic psychological need satisfaction with human responses to climate change. To this end, I propose a working model that may guide future research efforts. I conclude that enabling experiences of basic physiological but also psychological need satisfaction for all people may be a prerequisite to cope with the threat of climate change productively, to foster appropriate responses to climate change, and to work towards a socio ecological transformation.}},
author = {{Wullenkord, Marlis}},
issn = {{1434-3304}},
keywords = {{Environmental psychology; self-determination theory; basic psychological needs; defensiveness; climate denial; self-protection; pro-environmental behaviors}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
pages = {{110--129}},
series = {{Zeitschrift Umweltpsychologie}},
title = {{Climate change through the lens of self-determination theory : How considering basic psychological needs may bring environmental psychology forward}},
url = {{http://umps.de/php/artikeldetails.php?id=743}},
volume = {{24}},
year = {{2020}},
}