PSY 250: WORKPLACE LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

A closer look at the University of Plymouth campus

Sabine Pahl

Outline 4 sessions

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1) identify key issues; Observation methodsTask: explore UoP and observe users -> Presentation 1

2) Report your findings in Presentation 1; Discussion & limitations; Questionnaire / interview methodsTask: investigate user attitudes; add to first findings?

3) Report your findings in Presentation 2; first ideas for recommendations, more background Task: develop set of recommendations

4) Presentation 3: recommendations in roleplay context

Psychology of SustainabilityDiscussion of recommendations Two scenarios:

1) Group 1 in the user forum for waste & recyclingGroup rep to briefly present recommendations first then role play / debate

2) Group 2 in the senior management forum for energy Group rep to briefly present recommendations first then role play / debate

Psychology of SustainabilityScenarios 1 & 2 Distribution of roles 5 minutes preparation for roles & facilitator, and for

those who present recommendations Presentation of recommendations questions & discussion – focus on which

recommendations should be implemented / adapted and possible problems (groups are ready to add / comment / help)

Final statement each participant & summary re recommendations by group reps

Discussion forum (perhaps not solution)

Interdisciplinary and Disciplinary Research The climate problem is interdisciplinary

Crosses natural science, social science, engineering, public health, etc.

Contribution of psychology is strongest when linked to other disciplines Disciplines have complementary insights Psychology contributes most where other

disciplines fail to explain phenomena well ..and has least to add when non-psychological

factors dominate But it’s not easy to know which situation is

which, so interdisciplinary analysis is essential

< Stern, 2009

Some areas where psychology (behavioral sciences) can contribute

1. Understanding the behaviors that drive climate change

2. Intervening to change those behaviors (example: quickly reducing direct household energy use)

3. Improving public understanding of climate, climate change, and climate risk

4. Understanding public support, opposition, and acceptance related to policy and technological responses to climate change

5. Improving decision making in response to climate change

< Stern, 2009

Understandings of climate and climate risk: A major cognitive problem

Mismatch between climate phenomena and usual ways of knowing

Past experience is misleading about the future Information from the senses is misleading Multiple hazards, some of them catastrophic The probability of each hazard is uncertain Long time horizons; socioeconomic conditions

will change before hazards materialise Possibility of totally unexpected consequences Local effects are especially hard to anticipate Use of inappropriate mental models Need to rely on trusted information sources

< Stern, 2009

Understanding the behaviors that drive climate change

Identifying the most important behaviors Government statistics are collected by fuels,

sectors (industry, transport, residential) Behavioral analysis is by actors, actions,

purposes Defined by actors, household energy use

is BIG: In USA, 38% of total energy use (22% in home; 16% in non-business travel)

Much of this is built into equipment (typically >1/2 the variance in home energy consumption)

But much is not (same equipment, different use)

Both adoption and use of equipment are behavioral, and need analysis < Stern, 2009

< Stern, 2009

What can behavioral science add?

Social marketing insights seem to apply Use credible information sources (e.g., word of mouth) Use multiple communication channels Use interpersonal interactions Apply psychological principles of message design

The most effective programs address non-financial barriers Attracting attention (e.g., social marketing) Action-specific information (on what to do and expect) Convenience (few hurdles for consumers to jump) Quality assurance (e.g., certification, inspection)

Incentives are most effective in combination with interventions that address other barriers

How to Design Effective Interventions Address multiple barriers to behavioral

change (use multidisciplinary analysis) Combine influence factors (information,

marketing, financial incentives, quality assurance, convenience)

Tailor intervention to suit the target action Understand behavior from the user’s

perspective and do not presume motives or abilities

Recognize that behavior is often constrained by factors beyond the individual’s control (e.g., the practices of repair personnel, manufacturers, wholesalers)

Monitor programs continually to be able to adjust them as needed < Stern, 2009

Psychology of Sustainability

Guidelines for report PSY250: Suggested Title: Recommendations for improving sustainability on the

UoP campus: Focus on […]Four aspects to cover:1) Background: general background (what’s the problem?);

general environmental psychology background - some prior theory and evidence

2) Applied to UoP, with evidence: a) Campus analysis b) observations c) user views

Psychology of SustainabilityUsing the evidence to address the following :

What’s the current state of sustainability on the UoP campus? Summarise what your data say

3) Recommendations The recommendations should be based on 1) and 2) and should

consider these questions: Which aspects can be improved, and how? -> priority list How do you think could these improvements be implemented? By

whom, when? Show some understanding of feasibility issues / practical application and cost

How will the public react, can you make any predictions, e.g., based on your own research? Same for different users?

What are the expected outcomes? Can you say something about how the changes will lead to these outcomes?

Psychology of Sustainability

4) Critical evaluation (gaps, how good is the evidence, what remains to be done, barriers…) & Conclusion

Your report should contain tables / pictures / lists to illustrate (some of these could be in an Appendix). 

Finally it should be 10 -12 pages, Arial Pt 12, double spaced (see general guidelines for layout & references)

For a really good mark you need to provide evidence of additional research (e.g., changes implemented elsewhere, additional psychological research)