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The positive psychology of sustainability

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  • Víctor Corral Verdugo

Abstract

As in most areas of psychology, a negative bias permeates the study of the subject of Conservation Psychology: sustainable behavior (SB). SB constitutes the set of actions aimed at protecting the socio-physical environment. This behavior is sometimes addressed as having negative antecedent-instigators (fear, guilt, shame), activated to avoid undesirable outcomes from environmental degradation. Also, psycho-environmental researchers often visualize negative psychological consequences (discomfort, inconvenience, sacrifice) of SB. Yet, a number of studies reveal that positive psychological antecedents (capacities, emotions, virtues and strengths) as well as positive psychological consequences (satisfaction, psychological well-being, and happiness) of SB are also significant determinants of pro-environmental actions. In this paper, I argue that SB is positive behavior originated by positive dispositional factors, and maintained by psychological benefits. By combining the emergent fields of positive psychology and the psychology of sustainability, an alternative approach for the study of the positive psychology of sustainable behavior is outlined. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Víctor Corral Verdugo, 2012. "The positive psychology of sustainability," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 14(5), pages 651-666, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:14:y:2012:i:5:p:651-666
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-012-9346-8
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hedlund-de Witt, Annick, 2012. "Exploring worldviews and their relationships to sustainable lifestyles: Towards a new conceptual and methodological approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 74-83.
    4. Sharmila Moganadas & Victor Corral-Verdugo & Santhi Ramanathan, 2013. "Toward systemic campus sustainability: gauging dimensions of sustainable development via a motivational and perception-based approach," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(6), pages 1443-1464, December.
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    6. Mathias Zannakis & Sverker Molander & Lars-Olof Johansson, 2019. "On the Relationship between Pro-Environmental Behavior, Experienced Monetary Costs, and Psychological Gains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-14, October.
    7. Antonio Muñoz-García & Mª Dolores Villena-Martínez, 2020. "Sustainable Behavior among Spanish University Students in Terms of Dimensions of Religion and Spirituality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    8. Julius Grund & Antje Brock, 2019. "Why We Should Empty Pandora’s Box to Create a Sustainable Future: Hope, Sustainability and Its Implications for Education," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-20, February.
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    10. Fang-Hua Chen & Chang-Ching Tsai & Pei-Yin Chung & Wei-Shuo Lo, 2022. "Sustainability Learning in Education for Sustainable Development for 2030: An Observational Study Regarding Environmental Psychology and Responsible Behavior through Rural Community Travel," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, February.
    11. Christopher L. Ambrey & Peter Daniels, 2017. "Happiness and footprints: assessing the relationship between individual well-being and carbon footprints," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 895-920, June.
    12. Ma, Zhao & Clarke, Mysha & Church, Sarah P., 2018. "Insights into individual and cooperative invasive plant management on family forestlands," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 682-693.
    13. Tammie Ronen & Dorit Kerret, 2020. "Promoting Sustainable Wellbeing: Integrating Positive Psychology and Environmental Sustainability in Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, September.
    14. Yomna M. Sameer & Suzanna Elmassah & Charilaos Mertzanis & Lujain El-Maghraby, 2021. "Are Happier Nations More Responsible? Examining the Link Between Happiness and Sustainability," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(1), pages 267-295, November.
    15. Chenxuan Hou & Emine Sarigöllü & Myung-Soo Jo & Dapeng Liang, 2018. "Stepping Outside the Self Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    16. Navarro Ferronato & Carolina D’Avino & Marco Ragazzi & Vincenzo Torretta & Giovanni De Feo, 2017. "Social Surveys about Solid Waste Management within Higher Education Institutes: A Comparison," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-17, March.
    17. Bruce W. Smith & C. Graham Ford & Kelly Erickson & Anne Guzman, 2021. "The Effects of a Character Strength Focused Positive Psychology Course on Undergraduate Happiness and Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 343-362, January.
    18. Pedro Vazquez-Marin & Francisco Cuadrado & Isabel Lopez-Cobo, 2023. "Connecting Sustainable Human Development and Positive Psychology through the Arts in Education: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-23, January.
    19. Víctor Corral-Verdugo & Claudia Pato & Nissa Torres-Soto, 2021. "Testing a tridimensional model of sustainable behavior: self-care, caring for others, and caring for the planet," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(9), pages 12867-12882, September.
    20. Onwezen, Marleen C. & Antonides, Gerrit & Bartels, Jos, 2013. "The Norm Activation Model: An exploration of the functions of anticipated pride and guilt in pro-environmental behaviour," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 141-153.
    21. Edna C. Figueroa-García & Juan J. García-Machado & Diana C. Pérez-Bustamante Yábar, 2018. "Modeling the Social Factors That Determine Sustainable Consumption Behavior in the Community of Madrid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-16, August.

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