School of Psychology
Psychology courses include modules relevant to several areas of sustainability, especially SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing. Many modules focus their teaching on psychological wellbeing and physical health. Other social sustainability topics include the impact of social and biological factors on mental health.
Some current psychology modules also link to environmental sustainability through discussion of the benefit of the natural environment to mental health and the role of psychology in caring about sustainability related issues. For example, the module Psychology of Crowds & Collective Action uses environmental and climate collective action, such as Extinction Rebellion as a reading topic.
Current sustainability related undergraduate modules in Psychology include:
- The psychology of inequality: From poverty to power
- Contemporary topics in child development and wellbeing
- Psychology of crowds & collective action
- Psychological perspectives on self and identity
- Positive psychology
- Economic and consumer psychology
- Caring and helping: the psychology of concern and commitment
The availability of the above modules depends on your chosen course of study. Please follow the module links to see which degree courses offer this module and look at your course prospectus to see whether modules are core or optional.
Case study: Caring and helping - the psychology of concern and committment
The caring and helping: the psychology of concern and commitment third-year option module investigates the psychology of why and how people care about the welfare of anyone, or anything, other than the self. Students investigate altruism - concern for the welfare of others though it does not benefit the self - versus self-interest. Altruism includes morality and collectivism - the placing of the needs of a group over the needs of the individual.
The module explores caring about the environment, the planet, future generations, and environmental justice, among other topics. Students also discuss how these ‘input factors’ motivate people to engage in, or promote, environmental action.