Open AccessMaking a Footprint in Environmental Sustainability: A Behavioral Systems Approach to Engaging the Behavioral Community
Author(s) -
Holly A. Seniuk,
Traci M. Cihon,
Molly L. Benson,
Molli M. Luke
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
perspectives on behavior science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.933
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2520-8977
pISSN - 2520-8969
DOI - 10.1007/s40614-019-00233-y
Subject(s) - sustainability , argument (complex analysis) , behavioural sciences , work (physics) , human behavior , scale (ratio) , management science , climate change , psychology , computer science , engineering ethics , sociology , social psychology , engineering , social science , ecology , geography , mechanical engineering , biochemistry , chemistry , biology , cartography
Climate change is arguably the most pressing issue facing humanity today. There is significant research to support the argument that climate change is a human-created problem and it can only be addressed by changing human behavior. Despite the magnitude of the issue and the potential for behavior science to make a significant contribution, there are few behavior analysts/scientists currently working in climate change. One possible explanation is that there is limited access to preparation for and opportunities to apply our science to large-scale issues. In response, the Behaviorists for Social Responsibility Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavior Analysis International developed the Matrix Project as a way to apply Behavioral Systems Analysis to issues of social importance. By understanding the contingencies that hinder or promote working in a particular area we can begin to create the conditions that will facilitate such work. The purpose of this article is twofold: 1) to demonstrate how the Matrix Project may be used to increase the likelihood that behavior analysts/scientists will work in areas of social importance using environmental sustainability as an example, and 2) encourage behavior analysts/scientists to target and understand complex systems by providing examples of actionable steps that could be generalized to other important social issues.