Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future Exploring Social Psychology by David G. Myers 6 th Edition Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future An Environmental Call to Action Overshooting the earth’s carrying capacity Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-2

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future An Environmental Call to Action Global warming –Climate change –Environmental destruction Destruction of ecosystems by human exploitation Exploding population and increasing consumption Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-3

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future Enabling sustainable lifestyles New technologies –Increase efficiency Reducing consumption –Control population –Moderate consumption Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-4

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future The Social Psychology of Materialism and Wealth Increased materialism Wealth and well-being –Are rich people happier? Materialism fails to satisfy –Human capacity for adaptation The adaptation-level phenomenon –Wanting to compare Social comparison Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-5

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future The Social Psychology of Materialism and Wealth Toward sustainability and survival –People, governments, and corporations –Consciousness-transforming insights –Explorations of the good life Close, supportive relationships Faith communities Positive thinking habits Flow Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-6

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future Trying to be environmentally sensitive: 1. Solar Hot Water 2. Solar Photovoltaic Panels 3. Water Conservation 4. Hybrid/Plug-in/Electric Cars 5. Recycle 6. Maintain FITNESS Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-7

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future Population Growth Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-8

Social Psychology and the Sustainable Future Changing Materialism Copyright © 2012 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 31-9