Motivation and emotion/Book/2022/Climate change helplessness

Climate change helplessness:
How does learned helplessness impact motivation to engage in behaviours to limit climate change?

Multimedia presentation (3 min)

Overview

Figure 1. Natural disasters are increasing

Climate change is an increasingly alarming issue that is likely to be detrimental to the future of the human race (Dessler, 2021). Climate change will result in an increase in natural disasters globally (see Figure 1). As the adverse effects increase, society will experience ecological grief, which can seriously harm an individual's mental health (Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018). An individual may be motivated towards pro-environmental behaviour, however this may be affected by their learned helplessness (Seligman, 1972). This involves an individual feeling as though a task is too large to change and feels a sense of helplessness, so doesn't engage in the behaviour (Seligman, 1972). This can be specifically applied to climate change helplessness; those who attempt to engage in pro-environmental behaviour usually take a problem-focused coping approach, such as joining groups that align with their beliefs (Abrams & Hogg, 1990).

The United Nations have created a plan to work towards pro-environmental behaviour, the Paris Climate Accord 2015, which will work towards a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (Nadeau et al. 2022). This accord was agreed upon by 196 nations that wanted to work towards a reduction in global temperature (Nadeau et al. 2022). There are several ways that an individual can engage in climate action, such as by reducing energy and water usage, which can also reduce households costs (Dharmesti et al., 2020).

Education about climate change can help students to understand the impact of the effects and why change must happen (Rousell & Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, 2020). Recycling behaviours can ensure a reduction in landfill which is detrimental to the environment (Thomas & Sharp, 2013). There are several theories that underlie both pro-environmental behaviour and learned helplessness. The main theories that underlie pro-environmental behaviour include extrinsic motivation and social identity theory (Grønhøj & Thøgersen, 2017; Hogg, 2016). Extrinsic motivation refers to an individual's self-interest, in this case, it may be the cost-benefit of engaging in said behaviour (Grønhøj & Thøgersen, 2017). Social identity theory refers to how an individual identifies in terms of their beliefs, values, and norms (Hogg, 2016).

Case study;

Case study -- Motivation towards pro-environmental behaviour Fiola has always cared about the environment and animals. She attempts to engage in pro-environmental behaviour by limiting her electricity and water usage, buying eco-friendly products, and eating a vegetarian diet. However, she has recently seen a lot of negative news about the environment. This has impacted her motivation and made her feel helplessness. She does not see the point in engaging in pro-environmental behaviours if it doesn't significantly improve the environment. What can she do to stay motivated?

Focus questions: What is climate change? What is climate change helplessness? What motivates pro-environmental behaviour? What theories underlie climate change helplessness and pro-environmental behaviour?

What is climate change?

Figure 1. Teaching about climate change can benefit the environment.

Climate change involves the rise in temperature of the Earth, specifically the Earth's atmosphere, which has been increasing since industrialisation (Dessler, 2021). This rise will result in negative impacts on the environment and world such as flooding, heat stress, food shortages, drought, and increased exposure to diseases (Caney, 2018). Although climate change is a prevalent problem, humankind has made minimal efforts to slow down the effects. If humans continue to deny the evidence as they have been over the past quarter damage , the effects will be detrimental and irreversible (Dunlap & McCright, 2015).

Ecological grief

Ecological grief describes a serious concern for the destruction of the environment can be detrimental to an individuals mental health (Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018). There are also significant health risks for children born today such as food insecurity, malnutrition, infectious diseases, air pollution and exposure to extreme weather events (heatwaves, flooding, wildfires and hurricanes) (Cunsolo et al., 2020). Climate change weather events, while becoming increasingly prominent in the world, have been linked to strong emotions such as sadness, distress, despair, anger, fear, helplessness, hopelessness, and stress (Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018). Consideration of the long-term impact of climate change on the environment is becoming increasingly noticed (Comtesse et al. 2021).

What is learned helplessness?

A well-known experiment on learned helplessness was conducted by Seligman (1972) involving dogs that were trapped in a box, receiving an electrical shock. One dog that was able to escape the box and avoid the shock would do so as oppose to a dog that cannot escape and learnt to quietly tolerate the electoral shock (Seligman, 1972). Whilst this study may not be deemed ethical today, it has become a representation of learned helplessness, explaining the behaviour of this theory. However, there are variables that cannot be controlled in learned helplessness. These variables include motivation, cognition, and emotion. While investigating the dogs, it was found that their motivation potentially diminish when the shock was delivered, their cognition was affected after many shocks and they experienced a greater emotional disruption when exposed to uncontrollable aversive events (Maier & Seligman, 1976) .

Climate change helplessness

Learned helplessness moderates the associations between concern for the environment and pro-environmental behaviour (Landry, et al. 2018). On the other hand, the opposite of helplessness, hope, predicts taking on a problem-focused coping approach such as discussing climate change and engaging in behaviours that are pro-environmental (Geiger et al., 2021). Additionally, having an interest in the environment may motivate an individual to join a group that aligns with their social identity (Abrams & Hogg, 1990). Individuals that engage in pro-environmental behaviour may become less motivated through learned helplessness, if they feel as though the issue is too large for them to handle individually.

Although environmental concern is a real issue in society, many concerned individuals do not engage in pro-environmental behaviour (Landry et al. 2018). A study by Inglehart (1995) found that only 65% of people who expressed environmental concern also reported willingness to engage in said behaviour , although that is likely to have changed since. Recent research suggests ethnic minorities may be disconnected from concern and environmental engagement highlighting the difference between socially and economically disadvantaged groups (Pearson et al. 2017). Another barrier/enabler of environmental action is self-efficacy, ones{{gr{{ belief in their ability to perform a behaviour (Landry et al., 2018).

Case study

Case study -- Motivation towards pro-environmental behaviour To stay motivated to engage in pro-environmental behaviour, Fiola has been researching social identity theory. She has read that she can join a group that aligns with her values and talk with like-minded individuals. She has decided to join her university environmental group which aligns with her social identity. This group participates in events such as gardening on the weekend and petitioning for change. She knows that the impact she is having on the environment is small, but being in a group makes her impact feel more significant. She is attempting to avoid negative news and will continue to advocate for the environment.

Ways to engage in pro-environmental behaviour

Energy and water reduction

Figure 2. Protesting can inspire change

The main energy and water reduction behaviours that individuals tend to engage in are in their home; these include turning off lights, power points and heaters, taking shorter showers, using water tanks, and reducing usage of gardening water (Dharmesti et al., 2020). An individual may be "green-nudged" towards saving energy by choosing the desired choice which is made easier by the company providing it (Grilli & Curtis, 2021). A study by (Dharmesti et al,. 2020) shows that people attempt to engage in pro-environmental behaviour, such as energy conservation and water saving, not only in their own homes but also in hotels.

Eating vegetarian/vegan

A major contributor to climate change is greenhouse gas emissions from beef and dairy cattle productions (Crosson, 2011). There are many reasons why an individual may choose to go vegetarian/ vegan, including a healthier lifestyle, animal protection or to protect the environment (Milyavskaya, 2022). Although being vegetarian/vegan is becoming more popular, those who choose to engage in the dieting choice receive prejudice for going against the norm (Nagelmann, 2020). Protesting about these issues can help those who care for the environment express the issues they are concerned about (see Figure 2).

Educating others

A study by Rousell and Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles (2020) found that young peoples understanding of climate change is generally limited, influenced by media, and that students education on climate change does not significantly affect their attitudes or behaviours. A new form of climate change education is needed in order to properly motivate young people towards pro-environmental behaviour (see Figure 1) (Rousell & Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, 2020). This should involve the scientific, social, ethical, and political complications of climate change (Rousell & Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, 2020). Research has shown that environmental and recycling behaviour is very complex and diverse (Rousell & Cutter-Mackenzie-Knowles, 2020).

Recycling

Individuals who recycle, versus those who do not recycle, can be sorted by their demographics, economic status, environmental attitudes, beliefs, values, influence of their social circle, social norms, and their access to facilities and services that allow them to participate in recycling (Thomas & Sharp, 2013). Environmental psychologists try to look at how environmental concerns motivate people towards recycling behaviours and concerns (Miafodzyeva & Brandt, 2013).

Theories related to pro-environmental behaviour and learned helplessness

Extrinsic motivation

When looking at behaviours that limit climate change, Verplanken and Whitmarsh (2021) stated that behaviours that limit climate change are usually habitual rather than intentional. Human consumption and waste in regards to food, energy, and transportation is estimated to make up for 60% of greenhouse gas emissions (Ivanova et al., 2016). A significant motivator for individuals displaying behaviours that limit climate change is extrinsic motivation (Grønhøj & Thøgersen, 2017). An example of an extrinsic motivator is self interest, such as engaging in pro-environmental behaviour for the cost-benefit pay off. Financial compensation when buying eco-friendly products was found to be more of a motivator than verbal encouragement (Lanzini & Thøgersen, 2014). The three main behaviours that individuals engaged in for the cost-benefit, according to Steinhorst et al. (2015), are a reduction in beef consumption, heating temperature, and car use. Individuals that are motivated towards reducing these behaviours will impact the environment and this will naturally lead to a reduction in CO² emissions (Filipovic et al., 2006).

Social identity theory

Social identity theory refers to correlated cognitive processes and social beliefs in regards to intergroup relations and group processes (Hogg, 2016). Individuals acting in a collective and encouraging pro-environmental behaviour can influence other members of the group (Jans, 2021). Individuals may be more inclined towards behaviours that aligns with their social identity this could include organisations, local communities, online groups, academic associations, and more (Hogg, 2016). Social identity includes ones values, goals, and norms which will align with that of the group (Abrams & Hogg, 1990)

Positive psychology

The main underlying theory behind Seligman's (1972) learned helplessness is positive psychology. When considering positive psychology, Seligman showed that learned helplessness and hopelessness including other negative thoughts can lead towards clinical depression (Fredrickson, 2003). Seligman continued to look into positive psychology, discovering that positive psychology can influence individuals to think that life is worth living (Fredrickson, 2003). Studies have also shown that learned helplessness increases with age, and the accumulation of failed experiences (Dykens, 2006). Optimism has been shown to be linked to higher levels of subjective well-being, positive mood, good morale, problem solving, success in many domains, popularity, good physical health, reduced suicidal ideation and freedom from trauma (Peterson & Steen, 2002). Individuals are protected to some degree, in the way that they believe they are responsible for the good things that happen to them (Peterson & Steen, 2002). The most common forms of learned helplessness involve depression, academic , athletic, and vocational failure, worker burnout, unemployment, noise pollution, chronic pain, aging, mental retardation, epilepsy, and passivity among ethnic minorities (Peterson & Steen, 2002). Moreover, an individual can combat learned helplessness with positive psychology to protect their mental health and achieve their goals.

Conclusion

The nature world is diminishing and human society needs to accelerate the rate at which we attempt to mend our mistakes. It will take a global effort from governments, companies, and households to ensure the safety of future generations (Tompkins & Amundsen, 2008). Society is experiencing mass ecological grief and environmental anxiety when considering the natural disasters that will occur from climate change which can be detrimental to societies mental health (Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018).

Climate change helplessness undermines engagement in pro-environmental behaviour. However, the theories that underpin these issues can counteract its effects and encourage people to fight climate change by being extrinsically motivated, joining groups that align with ones social identity, and focusing on positive psychology to protect ones mental health (Grønhøj & Thøgersen, 2017; Hogg, 2016; Fredrickson, 2003). An individual may be extrinsically motivated to look into the cost-benefit of saving electricity and water for their own self-interest; if all households in the world worked towards this, CO² emissions would rapidly decline (Grønhøj & Thøgersen, 2017). This benefits the individual and allows them to save money, while consequently working towards helping the climate (Grønhøj & Thøgersen, 2017).

The next theory that slows the effects of climate change helplessness is social identity theory . Individuals are able to seek out groups that may align with their social identity and work with them to advocate for the environment, protest, and work towards saving the planet (Hogg, 2016). Additionally, a protective factor to climate change helplessness is positive psychology, focusing on optimism can lead to extensive positive outcomes (Peterson & Steen, 2002). Learned helplessness causes many negative effects, so combating this with positive psychology can motivate an individual towards pro-environmental behaviour (Fredrickson, 2003). Moreover, it will take an extreme global effort to save our planet that is dying from human caused climate change, however the fate of humanity and future generations depends on us.

See also

• Climate change helplessness (Book chapter, 2021)
• Ecological grief
• Environmental psychology
• Extinct animals
• Extinct plants
• Paris accords

References

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External links

• Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda
• Environmental psychology
• Environmental psychology: principles and practices
• From helplessness to hope: the seminal career of Martin Seligman
• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation - (verywellmind.com)
• Introduction: ecological grief
• Locus of control and learned helplessness
• Positive psychology: an introduction
• Social identity theory
• Values, identity and pro-environmental behaviour