Module Directory

This module will explore the intricate relationship between human behaviour and environmental sustainability, delving into the psychological factors that influence individuals, groups, and societies in their pursuit of sustainable practices. We will employ an interdisciplinary approach that will help us bridge the gap between traditional environmental studies and the understanding of human cognition, attitudes, experiences, and behaviour. The module will explore questions such as: “How are environmental attitudes and values shaped”; “How can we overcome misperceptions and avoid defensive responding to sustainability messages?” “What are the impact of social, cultural, and cognitive factors (e.g., social influence, perception of risk) on sustainable behaviour?”, and “How can we bridge the gap between pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours?”. Lectures will provide foundational knowledge and we will include case studies and real-world examples to illustrate the practical applications of psychological principles in sustainability initiatives. Interactive discussions and group activities will help students critically analyse and apply psychological concepts to real-world scenarios.

The aims of this module are:

• To enable students to understand the psychological dimensions of sustainability and to equip them with the knowledge and skills to promote positive environmental change through informed, targeted behavioural interventions.


• To introduce students to a range of different research and the contributions it can make to the discipline of “Environmental Psychology”.


• To provide students with the opportunity to review existing evidence from a variety of different psychology disciplines and explore how this knowledge can be useful to understand sustainable behaviour.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Develop a systematic understanding of empirical research relating to issues in sustainability psychology.


2. Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge from different psychological sub-disciplines to provide answers to how positive environmental change can be promoted.


3. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationships between empirical evidence, and the use of that evidence in the real-world situations within the sustainability context.


4. Critically evaluate the methods used in psychological research in applied settings.

Syllabus information

The module’s precise content will vary from year to year, but the following information gives a description of the typical structure: Lectures will provide foundational knowledge, while case studies and real-world examples will illustrate the practical applications of psychological principles in sustainability initiatives. Wherever possible, large and small group discussions and activities will teach students to critically analyse and apply psychological concepts to real-world scenarios. Over the course of this module, students will train this skill and thus the module will help students draw links between a variety of research that they’ve previously been introduced to and the benefit this research delivers to an applied context.

The module will be delivered via:

• 10 lectures

Lectures will be focused on answering questions from different psychology fields in the context of environmental psychology. Each topic will be addressed by providing background knowledge of the research area before tuning into specific research findings and how this knowledge has been used in practice (or has the potential to be used in practice).

Students will be encouraged to participate in lectures though discussion groups, asking questions, and also through the use of digital interactive platforms. This will ensure that the learning environment is inclusive for all students. Colour and font on slides will be in line with best practice to help those who are visually impaired.

Discussion forums on Moodle will provide an additional platform for students to seek additional support and to identify areas that need further explanation.

It is hoped that external expertise can be brought in each year to provide students with information from professionals who work in the environmental/sustainability context.