Motivation and emotion/Book/2024/Self-determination theory and environmental activism

Self-determination theory and environmental activism:
How does self-determination theory explain motivation in environmental activism?

Multimedia presentation (3 min)

Overview

Figure 1. Climate Change Protest

Scenario:

Imagine this: you're walking through your city centre with friends when, up ahead, you spot a group of environmental activists holding banners and chanting slogans in the name of combating climate change. Police are on the scene, attempting to control the situation. Amid the commotion, some people pause and watch, contemplating joining the cause. Others? They simply breeze past the protest, laser-focused on snagging that sweet 50% off sale they've been eyeing. You can’t help but wonder: What fuels people's commitment to environmental causes? Why are some people so fervently dedicated to protecting the environment, even at their own risk, while others remain seemingly indifferent?

Environmental activism is a complex behaviour driven by various psychological factors. Self-determination theory (SDT) provides insight into the underlying motivations that inspire people to engage in environmental activism. This theory, rooted in psychology, emphasises the importance of fulfilling three basic human needs:

1. autonomy
2. competence
3. relatedness

Research suggest that when these needs are met, individuals are more likely to participate in environmental activism, motivated by intrinsic values rather than external pressures.

This book chapter aims to raise awareness about the motivational drivers behind environmental activism and explore the psychological processes that sustain environmental activist behaviour. Through the lens of SDT, it will highlight how intrinsic motivation, supported by a sense of personal responsibility, capability, and connection to others, fuels commitment to environmental causes.

From examining the socioeconomic barriers in developing countries (see Figure 1) to exploring the role of self-determination in increasing participation, this chapter will cover relevant theories that explain why some individuals are driven towards environmental activism while others are not.

Deliberate, value-driven motivation and personal empowerment are key elements in understanding environmental activism (Deci & Ryan, 2000). By drawing on psychological science, the chapter will discuss strategies to improve activism participation and maintain long-term commitment, addressing challenges like burnout and external pressures.

What is Self-Determination Theory?

• Define and Explain.

1. Autonomy
2. Competence
3. Relatedness

Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness are the three core components of Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000). These components drive motivation by fulfilling fundamental psychological needs.

1. Autonomy allows individuals to feel in control of their actions, enhancing intrinsic motivation to engage in meaningful behaviours like environmental activism (Deci & Ryan, 2000).
2. Competence involves feeling effective in one's actions.
3. Relatedness centres on feeling connected to others. All three are crucial in sustaining long-term commitment to activism (Deci & Ryan, 1985).

Motivational Drivers in Environmental Activism

Autonomy in Activism

• How personal responsibility and choice influence activism.

Competence and Effectiveness

• Feeling capable and effective in bringing about change.

Relatedness and Community

• The importance of community and shared values in sustaining activism.

1. Autonomy in Activism: Activists who feel they have chosen to act out of personal conviction are more motivated to sustain their efforts (Gagné & Deci, 2005).
2. Competence in Activism: Feeling capable and effective in making a difference increases activists' motivation and commitment to environmental causes (Pelletier et al., 1998).
3. Relatedness in Activism: A strong sense of community and shared purpose is essential for maintaining long-term activism, as social support reinforces commitment to environmental goals (Vallerand, 1997).

Quiz Question According to Self-Determination Theory, a sense of autonomy is crucial in motivating individuals to engage in environmental activism. True False

Barriers to Environmental Activism

Figure 2. Developing and Developed Countries

Socioeconomic Barriers in Developing Countries

• How poverty, lack of resources, and immediate survival needs can inhibit participation in environmental activism.

External Pressures

• How societal pressures, work demands, and other external factors can deter individuals from engaging in activism, even when they care about the cause.

• Socioeconomic Barriers: Individuals in developing countries often prioritise immediate survival needs over activism due to lack of resources, making it harder to engage in environmental efforts (Pelletier et al., 2011).
• External Pressures: Societal and familial pressures, such as economic struggles, often diminish the energy and motivation required to participate in environmental activism (Schwartz, 2019).
• Cultural Barriers: Cultural attitudes toward environmental issues can impact whether individuals engage in activism, with some cultures placing less value on environmental preservation due to other pressing societal concerns (Uzzell et al., 2002).

Strategies to Increase Environmental Activism

Enhancing Motivation through SDT Principles

• Explore ways to foster autonomy, competence, and relatedness to improve engagement in activism.

Successful Case Studies

• Movements or campaigns that effectively applied SDT principles to increase participation and success.

• Enhancing Autonomy: Providing activists with opportunities to make independent choices and participate in decision-making processes increases their intrinsic motivation (Deci & Ryan, 2000).
• Building Competence: Offering training, education, and opportunities to see the impact of their efforts helps activists feel effective and empowered in their roles (Pelletier et al., 1998).
• Fostering Relatedness: Creating strong, supportive communities where activists can bond with others who share their goals enhances feelings of relatedness and sustains engagement (Vallerand, 1997).

Mental Health, Burnout, and Social Media in Environmental Activism

Well-being in Sustained Environmental Activism

• Discuss the psychological toll of prolonged activism, including stress, fatigue, and mental health challenges.

Preventing Burnout

• Strategies for maintaining well-being and preventing burnout to ensure continued engagement in activism

Role of Social Media

• How social media platforms can amplify both engagement and emotional exhaustion in environmental activists.

• Well-being in Activism: Prolonged activism can lead to emotional exhaustion, stress, and burnout, which undermine sustained participation (Chen & Gorski, 2015).
• Preventing Burnout: Strategies such as setting realistic goals, practicing self-care, and maintaining strong social support networks can help mitigate burnout in activists (Maslach & Leiter, 2016).
• Influence of Social Media: Social media platforms amplify the visibility of activism but can also contribute to emotional exhaustion due to constant exposure to issues, overwhelming information, and societal pressure to engage (Xenos et al., 2014).

Suggestions for this section: Engage the reader with a scenario, example, or case study, and an accompanying image Explain the problem and why it is important Outline how psychological science can help Present focus questions

Conclusion

• Environmental activism is driven by fundamental psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, as explained by Self-Determination Theory (SDT). This theory provides a framework for understanding why some individuals are deeply committed to environmental causes while others are not.
• Barriers such as socioeconomic conditions and cultural attitudes can prevent participation in environmental activism, particularly in developing countries where immediate needs often outweigh environmental concerns.
• Social media has a dual role in environmental activism: It amplifies engagement and awareness, but it can also lead to burnout and emotional exhaustion due to constant exposure to global environmental crises.
• Mental health issues like burnout and stress are common among activists, particularly when they lack self-care and social support. Preventing burnout through realistic goals and strong support networks is essential for sustained activism.
• Effective strategies to enhance environmental activism include fostering autonomy, competence, and relatedness within activist communities, using SDT principles to inspire long-term commitment and meaningful participation.
• Overall, SDT provides a valuable lens for understanding both the motivations behind environmental activism and the challenges activists face. Interventions should be tailored to meet the specific psychological needs of activists to maintain their well-being and motivation over time.

Suggestions for this section: What is the answer to the sub-title question based on psychological theory and research? What are the answers to the focus questions? What are the practical, take-home messages? (Even for the topic development, have a go at the likely take-home message)

See also

Provide internal (wiki) links to the most relevant Wikiversity pages (esp. related motivation and emotion book chapters) and Wikipedia articles. Use these formats:

• Environmentalist (Wikipedia)
• Environment-friendly behaviour motivation (Book chapter, 2021)

Suggestions for this section: Present in alphabetical order Use sentence casing Include the source in parentheses

References

Chen, C. W., & Gorski, P. C. (2015). Burnout in social justice and human rights activists: Symptoms, causes, and implications. Journal of Human Rights Practice, 7(3), 366-390. https://doi.org/10.1093/jhuman/huv011

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.

Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The handbook of self-determination research. Rochester, NY: University of Rochester Press.

Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. (2005). Self-determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4), 331-362. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.322

Kasser, T., & Ryan, R. M. (1996). Further examining the American dream: Differential correlates of intrinsic and extrinsic goals. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 22(3), 280-287. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167296223006

Pelletier, L. G., Tuson, K. M., & Green-Demers, I. (1998). Why are you doing things for the environment? The motivation toward the environment scale (MTES). Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28(5), 437-468. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.1998.tb01714.x

Uzzell, D. L., Pol, E., & Badenas, D. (2002). Place identification, social cohesion, and environmental sustainability. Environment and Behavior, 34(1), 26-53. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916502034001003

Vansteenkiste, M., Niemiec, C. P., & Soenens, B. (2010). The development of the five mini-theories of self-determination theory: An historical overview, emerging trends, and future directions. Advances in Motivation and Achievement, 16(A), 105-165.

Xenos, M. A., Vromen, A., & Loader, B. D. (2014). The great equalizer? Patterns of social media use and youth political engagement in three advanced democracies. Information, Communication & Society, 17(2), 151-167. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2013.871318

Suggestions for this section: Important aspects of APA style for references include: Wrap the set of references in the hanging indent template. Use "Edit source": {{Hanging indent|1= the full list of references}} Author surname, followed by a comma, then the author initials separated by full stops and spaces Year of publication in parentheses Title of work in lower case except first letter and proper names, ending in a full-stop Journal title in italics, volume number in italics, issue number in parentheses, first and last page numbers separated by an en-dash(–), followed by a full-stop Provide the full doi as a URL and working hyperlink The most common mistakes include: Incorrect capitalisation Incorrect italicisation Citing sources that weren't read or consulted

External links

• Understanding the Motivation of Environmental Activists (ResearchGate)
• Greta and eight young activists reveal how the climate crisis is shaping their lives | UNICEF (Youtube)
• Motivating Sustainability (Australian Psychological Association)

Suggestions for this section: Only select links to major external resources about the topic Present in alphabetical order Include the source in parentheses after the link