Motivational pitfalls when communicating about LIMITS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ARE:

Large scale -->> overwhelming

Long-term -->> no immediate solution

Complex, multi-causal -->> solutions complex or unknown

Messages about this can:

INDUCE HELPLESSNESS Give up trying, become depressed
Problems seem insolvable; efforts are not enough
Conflicts and stalemates seem entrenched INDUCE FEAR Doesn't instruct us on what TO do
Maladaptive unless people know clear, convenient steps to take
Evokes self-protection rather than collective problem-solving INDUCE GUILT Doesn't instruct us on what TO do
Focuses attention on the self instead of the situation
Psychologically "compensates" rather than encouraging change CAUSE CONFUSION Message is at odds with accepted world-view and institutions
Not knowing what to do can be overwhelming; incompetence is unpleasant BE PERCEIVED AS CALLING FOR SACRIFICE Threatens the wish for comfort
Raises issues of fairness BE PERCEIVED AS CALLING FOR COERCIVE SOLUTIONS Threatens need for freedom & choice
Threatens democratic institutions
 
 

RESPONSES TO THESE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS

APATHY, DISENGAGEMENT & INACTION

Fatalism - nothing can be done to change things
Hedonism & escapism
Despair
Cynicism RATIONALIZATION Belief that we are inevitably short-term self-maximizers
Human exceptionalism: we are exempt from constraints
Just desert: we deserve special benefits for some reason REACTANCE & RESISTANCE Increased desire for forbidden alternative
Decreased desire for what feel forced to do
Seek to protect self-interest only
Resentment toward those delivering the message or constraint
Lowered self-respect if one complies with dictate DENIAL OF SELF INVOLVEMENT Identify others as to blame
Doubt or minimize the harm: See evidence as questionable
Exonerate oneself - minimize one's contribution DEMONIZING OTHERS Exclude "other side" from moral consideration
Entrenched positions
Ignore extremes within own group, lose creativity NET RESULT: Resist efforts that could realistically create change
 
 

POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES

OFFER OBJECTIVE, NEUTRAL, NON-MORALISTIC INFORMATION

Lets others decide for themselves
Avoids guilt, shame, defensiveness, denial
Address both probability and severity of risks
Look at own and others' values and beliefs more objectively VOLUNTARY APPROACHES Choice is preserved
Taps internal sources of motivation
Builds on what people already know and do
Empowers people to exceed existing standards PARTICIPATORY APPROACHES Averts helplessness
Acknowledges and values everyone's contribution
Even minor participation increases commitment
Strengthens collective control of social arrangements SUCCESS STORIES "Human scale" images of effective action in real settings
Counteracts discouraging picture of environmental problems SMALL WINS Builds confidence, sense of control, knowledge
Changes accumulate; Creates learned HOPEFULNESS INCREMENTAL ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Try one step at a time, but set it up to learn from the trial
Admit ignorance, and need for many voices
Exploration can be exciting USE POSITIVE HUMAN MOTIVATIONS AND INTRINSIC SATISFACTIONS To be competent
To be needed, to make a difference
Participate in community, work with others toward common goal
To be self-sufficient, resourceful, frugal FRAME ISSUE IN TERMS OF QUALITY OF LIFE Focus on personal costs of system which also damages environment
Down-sizing, choosing to live values deliberately
Positive potential in technology, new institutions ENHANCE IMPORTANCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT TO PEOPLE We willingly make sacrifices for things of great importance to self
The environment is not really "out there"; it is interna
  FOLLOW-THROUGH BEYOND DESPAIR TO EMPOWERMENT  Initial encounter with problem & political stalemate produces despair
 Stick with this, deal with feelings, go deeper into subject
 Learn strategies for conflict resolution and dialogue
 Become actively involved
  OFFER APPROPRIATE SUPPORT FOR CHANGE Provide information via trusted, credible channels
Foster commitment, participation, follow-through
Address factors beyond the individual that constrain env. pos. choices: incentives, product availability, services & infrastructure ENCOURAGE AN ATTITUDE OF "CONDITIONAL OPTIMISM" If we do the right things, and in time, we can avert environ. disaster
Refocuses attention from emotion (hope/despair) to solutions & action

The above was partly drawn from:

Bardwell, L. (1991). Success stories: Imagery by example. Journal of Environmental Education 23(1): 5-10.

Berman, S. (1997). Children's social consciousness and the development of social responsibility. Albany: SUNY Press.

De Young, R. (forthcoming). Expanding and Evaluating Motives for Environmentally Responsible Behavior. Journal of Social Issues (special issue on "Promoting Environmentalism")

De Young, R. & Kaplan, S. (1988). On averting the tragedy of the commons. Environmental Management 12(3): 273-283.

Harrison, P. (1992). The third revolution: Population, environment and a sustainable world. New York: Penguin.

Kaplan, S. (forthcoming). Human Nature and Environmentally Responsible Behavior. Journal of Social Issues (special issue on "Promoting Environmentalism")

Opotow, S. & Weiss, L. (forthcoming). Denial and exclusion in environmental conflict. Journal of Social Issues (special issue on "Promoting Environmentalism")

Oskamp, S. (forthcoming). The current state of the environment and environmentalism. Journal of Social Issues (special issue on "Promoting Environmentalism")

Gardner, Gerald & Stern, Paul (1996). Environmental problems and human behavior. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Wackernagel, Mathis (2000). "How can we address limits? Four questions" Redefining Progress: working paper.

Weick, K. (1984). Small wins: Redefining the scale of social problems. American Psychologist 39(3): 40-49.