Thursday 23 July 09:50 - 11:20

Hall: 24 - Room 3 SPT

Chair and Presenter: Fasanelli Roberto

Division: Division 4: Environmental Psychology

This symposium investigates the diverse social and psychological aspects of sustainability, focusing on
how sustainable practices impact and are shaped by the attitudes, behaviors, representations, and values
of both producers and consumers of energy, goods and products. By promoting interdisciplinary dialogue,
the workshop seeks to uncover the connections between societal norms, environmental awareness, policy
making and economic behaviors in fostering a sustainable future.
Sustainability is viewed not only as an environmental or economic issue but also as a significant social,
political, and psychological phenomenon. This symposium unites scholars and practitioners from social
psychology, environmental science, and sustainable energy fields to address key questions: How do
producers incorporate sustainability into their practices while managing social and cultural expectations?
What psychological factors facilitate or hinder consumers' adoption of sustainable products and lifestyles?
What challenges obstruct the implementation of more effective, sustainable, and environmentally friendly
policies in public administration and services? How do shared societal values and norms influence
sustainable behaviors in various cultures and communities?
Through presentations, case studies, and collaborative discussions, participants will delve into the complex
interactions between individual behavior, collective action, and structural change. This will provide insights
to improve the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives on both micro and macro levels.
This topic is both novel and relevant for several reasons:
1. Interdisciplinary Approach: By integrating various scientific perspectives, this topic goes beyond
traditional, isolated research methods to provide a holistic understanding of how human behavior interacts
with sustainable systems.
2. Behavioral Impact: Environmental psychology has long examined individual and group behaviors
regarding sustainability. This topic builds on those insights by exploring the reciprocal influences between
planners/producers and consumers.
3. Practical Applications: The insights gained from this workshop can directly inform interventions,
policymaking, and educational campaigns aimedatpromotingsustainablebehaviors.
4. Transformational Focus: Understanding the feedback loops between planning/productionpracticesand
consumerchoicesiscrucialforfosteringsystemicchange,whichisakeyemphasisofappliedpsychology.
Thisworkshopaimstoattractresearchersandpractitionersfromavarietyoffields,encouraging
interdisciplinarycollaborationanddialogueatthecongress.