The Bridge Between Research and Action
Social Psychology's Role in Advancing Climate Solutions
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7168419 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Janet K Swim (0000-0002-3279-1308, Pennsylvania State University, corresponding author), Zoe A Baker (0009-0001-3808-0312, Pennsylvania State University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Social and Personality Psychology Compass (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1751-9004 • E-ISSN: 1751-9004 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/spc3.70102 |
| OpenAlex | W4416919806 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 91 |
Climate research is essential for preventing devastating consequences for soil, air, and water quality, as well as for human and more‐than‐human health (i.e., nonhumans, such as animals, plants, and ecosystems with agency beyond humans). However, research must be accompanied by effective implementation and socially acceptable policies. Social psychology serves as a critical bridge between climate research and action, ensuring that evidence‐based solutions are theoretically sound and responsive, clearly communicated, widely adopted, and attentive to those most harmed. We highlight three ways social psychologists can help facilitate the successful implementation of climate solutions: (1) Integrating psychological principles into the advancement of technological innovations; (2) Strengthening climate policies by applying psychological research throughout the policy lifecycle; and (3) Participating in interdisciplinary and community collaboration to strengthen solutions. Considering the recent U.S. presidential election and its significant implications for environmental regulations and climate solutions, the focus of our review is on research within the U.S. context. We note how recent federal decisions impact these three activities, hindering research efforts while highlighting areas where further social psychological research is needed. Thus, while not exhaustive, our review illustrates how social psychology can help create bridges between research and climate actions, with significant growth opportunities in the three research areas
Climate change · Presidential system · Psychological research · Sustainability · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Climate Change Communication and Perception · Environmental Education and Sustainability
Field interventions for climate change mitigation behaviors
Missing in (Collective) Action
Collective efficacy increases pro-environmental intentions through increasing self-efficacy
Dynamic Norms Promote Sustainable Behavior, Even if It Is Counternormative
Addressing climate change with behavioral science
The Greta Thunberg Effect
What drives pro-environmental activism of young people? A survey study on the Fridays For Future movement
Self-efficacy or collective efficacy within the cognitive theory of stress model
Public perceptions of energy consumption and savings
Household actions can provide a behavioral wedge to rapidly reduce US carbon emissions
A review of intervention studies aimed at household energy conservation
The gateway belief model
Why it is so hard to teach people they can make a difference
Experience Matters
Climate of silence
Chronic environmental contamination
Distorting the view of our climate future
A framework for assessing the impact of private climate governance
Explaining interest in adopting residential solar photovoltaic systems in the United States
The connections—and misconnections—between the public and politicians over climate policy
Using the three-pillar model of sustainability to understand lay reactions to climate policy
Rethinking Nimbyism
A meta-analysis of field-experiments using social norms to promote pro-environmental behaviors
Perception of pro-environmental behavior
OK Boomer
The power of green defaults
Citizen Attitudes Toward Transparency in Local Government
(Not so) powerful allies? Decision makers’ reactions to advantaged group allies in collective action
Translating policy transparency into policy understanding and policy support
The dragons of inaction
Aligning Climate‐Energy Policies With Citizen Beliefs, Scientific Findings, Health and Economic Benefits, and Geopolitical Stability
Science in a World on Fire
Catalyzing Public Engagement With Climate Change Through Informal Science Learning Centers
Toward an integrative social identity model of collective action
Positive Psychology & Sustainable Behavior
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |