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Social Psychology, Economic Choices, and Sustainable Lifestyle

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Psychology of Sustainability and Sustainable Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 July 2024) | Viewed by 10747

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, University of A Coruna (Spain), 15071 A Coruña, Spain
Interests: environmental psychology; models of pro-environmental behavior; social aspects of the transition to clean energy; sustainability and social innovation; sustainable lifestyles; the workplace as an axis for emission reduction modeling in large organizations; models of citizen participation and co-production of knowledge
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Knowledge of how to explore transitions towards sustainable lifestyles is not possible without the vision of social psychology. Sustainable lifestyles have been studied as sets of behaviors that can be studied in a space-time context (García-Mira et al., 2017). Undoubtedly, this analysis cannot ignore the economic perspective of the transition towards other economic models that support such behaviors, exploring obstacles and enablers of more responsible economic behavior.

It is a complex interaction between economic and psychosocial factors, in which other social, political or technological factors condition the choice of sustainable lifestyles, and with them, the transformation of society. Scaling individual behavior from a simple to a wider and more complex level, from a micro to a macro level, has occupied the work of many psychologists and economists in the last decade, who have devoted themselves to evaluating comprehensive models of behavioral change in a number of key domains of sustainability.

This Special Issue will attempt to bring together a set of interdisciplinary approaches which integrate the approach of social psychology and other related disciplines, and aims to delve into the economic choices that link and explain our behavior with the environment, in terms of clarifying the keys to the interaction and weight of the various components of such models. This is one more way to delve into the economic and environmental impact that must serve as a transfer to politics, analyzing the restrictions and obstacles to establish bridges between science and politics that allow decision-making based on evidence and the fulfillment of objectives in line with the 2030 strategy.

Papers that include theoretical conceptualizations from the field of social psychology are welcome which are likely to serve as an axis of discussion and provide an adequate framework of analysis that supports the evaluation of socioeconomic and environmental impacts. The empirical exploration of factors that promote or hinder the adoption of a sustainable lifestyle, as well as explorations of the interaction between the use of time, sustainable consumption and social well-being are other aspects of interest. Finally, we are interested in papers which attempt to increase knowledge about the extent to which citizens can exercise control over their choices, as well as those examining variables that influence adopting one or the other, and domains of sustainability that are conducive in certain contexts but not in others. Multi-method empirical research perspectives will be welcome, combining qualitative and quantitative approaches, in-depth interviews, focus groups, surveys, evaluations of future scenarios, and the co-production of knowledge, in different domains (energy transition, mobility, responsible eating, responsible ecological behavior, etc.).

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Ricardo García Mira
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable lifestyle
  • sustainable consumption
  • social well-being
  • social psychology perspective on environmental issues
  • pro-environmental behavior

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 2037 KiB  
Article
How Does New Media Shape the Sense of Belonging and Social Identity? The Social and Psychological Processes of Sustainable Successful Reintegration for Rehabilitated People
by Liyao Xiao, Fufeng Chu, Jingjing Mao, Jiaxin Yang and Ziyu Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(18), 7958; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16187958 - 12 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3764
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to explore the role of new media in shaping the social identity and reintegration of rehabilitated individuals (ex-offenders), given the increasing societal attention on their successful reintegration. The objective is to analyze how media dependency and social identity formation [...] Read more.
Objective: This study aims to explore the role of new media in shaping the social identity and reintegration of rehabilitated individuals (ex-offenders), given the increasing societal attention on their successful reintegration. The objective is to analyze how media dependency and social identity formation contribute to their sustainable reintegration into society. Methods: Conducted in 2022–2023, the study adopted a narrative research paradigm. It employed qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and participant observation, to investigate the decision-making processes of rehabilitated people under social adaptation pressures. The analysis was framed by media dependency theory and the two-dimensional model of social identity (Evaluation-Relationship). Results: The findings reveal that media dependency significantly enhances the construction of rehabilitated individuals’ social identity, aiding in their successful reintegration. The process of media dependency facilitates emotional support, providing an important outlet for resolving ambivalences in identity during the reintegration process. Moreover, media dependency strengthens the positive impact of new media on identity formation, thereby supporting sustainable reintegration into society. Conclusions: This study underscores the practical importance of media in identity reconstruction for rehabilitated individuals. The findings offer insights for policymakers to design more inclusive media policies that reduce stigmatization. Additionally, the results provide valuable guidance for social workers and counselors in leveraging new media to offer emotional support and identity reconstruction. Future research should examine identity formation in diverse socio-cultural contexts to further understand how new media can support sustainable reintegration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Psychology, Economic Choices, and Sustainable Lifestyle)
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17 pages, 1950 KiB  
Article
Pro-Environmental Agriculture to Promote a Sustainable Lifestyle
by Sukanya Sereenonchai and Noppol Arunrat
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7449; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177449 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1162
Abstract
The non-burning rice straw (NBRS) strategy plays a crucial role in mitigating the climate impact of rice farming. This paper explores the factors influencing the efficacy of information nudges and proposes practical nudging strategies to promote NBRS. Experimental nudges were employed on participating [...] Read more.
The non-burning rice straw (NBRS) strategy plays a crucial role in mitigating the climate impact of rice farming. This paper explores the factors influencing the efficacy of information nudges and proposes practical nudging strategies to promote NBRS. Experimental nudges were employed on participating farmers, followed by a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews to investigate clearer reasons for their adoption of non-burning practices, as well as the inclusion of participatory nudging design. Key factors influencing the efficacy of information nudges for NBRS among burning farmers showed that the perceived susceptibility and severity of burning could positively influence their adoption of non-burning practices, while rewards for burning were mostly found to be a significantly negative factor. Providing economic incentives helped the farmers to adopt non-burning practices because the monetary benefit was perceived. For those employing non-burning practices, self-efficacy was found to have a significant positive influence on the tendency to continue NBRS. The perceived cost of rice straw utilization (RSU) was mostly found to be a negative factor influencing RSU adoption. At first glance, the promotion of NBRS via demonstrating its ease and timeliness showed the practicality of information nudges, especially through leadership and farmers’ perception of success based on their direct experience. After testing each method, results indicate that if it fits the farmers’ context, making it seem social and attractive can build more confidence in RSU. Four main communication strategies for the nudging of NBRS include the following: (1) empower leading farmers as change agents through practical and visualized knowledge and skills training, continuous guidance and monitoring, and the providing of platforms to communicate the benefits of RSU to fellow farmers; (2) facilitate RSU and encourage farmers to practice integrated farming according to their local context; (3) elevate RSU among farmer groups to meet standardized and accepted levels; and (4) establish clear incentives for RSU and the systematic and collaborative managing of burning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Psychology, Economic Choices, and Sustainable Lifestyle)
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23 pages, 861 KiB  
Article
Bus Drivers’ Behavioral Intention to Comply with Real-Time Control Instructions: An Empirical Study from China
by Weiya Chen, Ying Chen, Yufen Wang and Xiaoping Fang
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3623; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093623 - 26 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1974
Abstract
Developing intelligent bus control systems is crucial for fostering the sustainability of urban transportation. Control instructions are produced in real time by the bus control system; these are important technical commands to stabilize the order in which buses operate and improve service reliability. [...] Read more.
Developing intelligent bus control systems is crucial for fostering the sustainability of urban transportation. Control instructions are produced in real time by the bus control system; these are important technical commands to stabilize the order in which buses operate and improve service reliability. Understanding the behavioral intention of bus drivers to comply with these instructions will help improve the effectiveness of intelligent bus control system implementation. We have developed a psychological model that incorporates decomposed variables of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and other influencing variables to explain the micromechanisms that determine bus drivers’ behavioral intention to comply with real-time control instructions during both peak and off-peak-hour scenarios. A total of 258 responses were obtained and verified for analysis. The results showed that the influential factors in the peak- and off-peak-hour scenarios were not identical. Female drivers had greater off-peak-hour behavior intention to comply than male drivers, and there were significant differences in peak-hour behavior intention among drivers of different ages. In both peak and off-peak-hour scenarios, perceived benefit positively and perceived risk negatively affected behavioral intention. Perceived controllability positively affected behavioral intention only during peak hours. Self-efficacy only negatively affected behavioral intention during off-peak hours. Three antecedent variables (i.e., trust, mental workload, and line infrastructure support) influenced drivers’ behavioral intentions indirectly via the decomposed variables of TPB. These results provide profound insights for the improvement and implementation of real-time control technology for bus services, thereby facilitating the development of smart and sustainable urban public transport systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Psychology, Economic Choices, and Sustainable Lifestyle)
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25 pages, 1760 KiB  
Article
Overcoming Barriers to ISPO Certification: Analyzing the Drivers of Sustainable Agricultural Adoption among Farmers
by Nugra Irianta Denashurya, Nurliza, Eva Dolorosa, Dewi Kurniati and Denah Suswati
Sustainability 2023, 15(23), 16507; https://doi.org/10.3390/su152316507 - 2 Dec 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3007
Abstract
The palm oil industry, integral to Indonesia’s economy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), faces emerging economic, environmental, and social challenges. These compel the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in light of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification system’s [...] Read more.
The palm oil industry, integral to Indonesia’s economy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), faces emerging economic, environmental, and social challenges. These compel the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in light of the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) certification system’s implementation by 2025. This study develops a model integrating Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior and Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory to elucidate factors influencing farmers’ adoption of sustainable palm oil farming. Data from 300 palm oil farmers in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The results indicated significant positive effects in terms of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, relative advantage, compatibility, and trialability on sustainable practice adoption, while the complexity negatively influenced adoption. These findings underscore the need to address farmers’ motivations, social norms, perceived control, and practice advantages for successful implementation. The study offers critical insights for policymakers and practitioners to formulate strategies that encourage the voluntary adoption of sustainable practices, balancing farmers’ needs and environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Psychology, Economic Choices, and Sustainable Lifestyle)
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