How can people do more for the environment?
Everyone does something for the environment, but this is obviously not enough because there are rising environmental issues that are attributed to human behaviour. Changes in human behaviour are vital for addressing global climate change. I want to help people make more effort for the environment, so that together we can make a positive impact. My findings suggest that the simple things we do help us feel capable of protecting the environment, which then spills over into more impactful actions.
You did, so you can and you will: ramping up environmental action
As a species, we need to ramp up environmental efforts in our everyday lives. My research investigates how this can be achieved through use of spillover theory, which is the notion that performing one action can make the adoption of other similar actions more likely. My research looks at how the simple and easy environmental behaviours we do, such as turning off the tap when brushing our teeth or using the half flush on our toilets, may be used as catalysts for engagement in more difficult and impactful environmental behaviours such as picking up other peoples’ litter or buying eco-friendly products. Specifically, I investigate how one’s notion of the self can be influenced by the behaviours they perform, and how their future actions are influenced by this sense of who they are.
Behavioural spillover in the environmental domain
My research applies behavioural spillover theory to the environmental domain, and also looks at how self-perception processes affect spillover by influencing behaviour choice. Specifically, I look at how the behaviours people choose to do inform their self-identity and self-efficacy, and how this influences their choice of actions in the future.
About Nita Lauren
I grew up by the beach in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, and spent a lot of time snorkelling or exploring beaches with my father. As a kid, I fell in love with the ocean and cared deeply for the life it supported. As I got older, I began to notice how the carelessness of others impacted the environment. The rising awareness of climate change and how fossil fuels influence the planet made me determined to act. I came to the University of Queensland to study psychology to learn how people are motivated to change their behaviour, and I started a PhD in the hopes that my efforts would help inform policy to curb the impacts that our lifestyles have on the environment.
More broadly, I muse on three main questions: 1) Why is sustainability not a worldwide craze?; 2) Is money bad for society?; and 3) How can democracy be improved?
Get in touch
Nita is always happy to speak about her research. Potential speaking topics include:
If you’re interested in having Nita speak at an event or collaborating on research, please get in touch.
Everyone does something for the environment, but this is obviously not enough because there are rising environmental issues that are attributed to human behaviour. Changes in human behaviour are vital for addressing global climate change. I want to help people make more effort for the environment, so that together we can make a positive impact. My findings suggest that the simple things we do help us feel capable of protecting the environment, which then spills over into more impactful actions.
You did, so you can and you will: ramping up environmental action
As a species, we need to ramp up environmental efforts in our everyday lives. My research investigates how this can be achieved through use of spillover theory, which is the notion that performing one action can make the adoption of other similar actions more likely. My research looks at how the simple and easy environmental behaviours we do, such as turning off the tap when brushing our teeth or using the half flush on our toilets, may be used as catalysts for engagement in more difficult and impactful environmental behaviours such as picking up other peoples’ litter or buying eco-friendly products. Specifically, I investigate how one’s notion of the self can be influenced by the behaviours they perform, and how their future actions are influenced by this sense of who they are.
Behavioural spillover in the environmental domain
My research applies behavioural spillover theory to the environmental domain, and also looks at how self-perception processes affect spillover by influencing behaviour choice. Specifically, I look at how the behaviours people choose to do inform their self-identity and self-efficacy, and how this influences their choice of actions in the future.
About Nita Lauren
I grew up by the beach in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, and spent a lot of time snorkelling or exploring beaches with my father. As a kid, I fell in love with the ocean and cared deeply for the life it supported. As I got older, I began to notice how the carelessness of others impacted the environment. The rising awareness of climate change and how fossil fuels influence the planet made me determined to act. I came to the University of Queensland to study psychology to learn how people are motivated to change their behaviour, and I started a PhD in the hopes that my efforts would help inform policy to curb the impacts that our lifestyles have on the environment.
More broadly, I muse on three main questions: 1) Why is sustainability not a worldwide craze?; 2) Is money bad for society?; and 3) How can democracy be improved?
Get in touch
Nita is always happy to speak about her research. Potential speaking topics include:
- Spillover theory
- Theories of behaviour change
- Using normative messages in environmental communications
- The value of research for motivating environmental actions
- How to stop littering
If you’re interested in having Nita speak at an event or collaborating on research, please get in touch.
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Learn more about Nita's research
Nita explains her research in the video below, which she created as a submission to the Cooperative Research Centres' Early Career Researcher awards.
Nita explains her research in the video below, which she created as a submission to the Cooperative Research Centres' Early Career Researcher awards.