Social psychology can help address barriers to climate action
Based on Sherman, D. K., & Van Boven, L. (2023). The connections—and misconnections—between the public and politicians over climate policy: A social psychological perspective. Social Issues and Policy Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/sipr.12104
Social psychology can offer unique insights into understanding the relationship between the public, politicians, media and activists around climate policy
The Policy Problem
The majority of Americans believe that human caused climate change is happening and poses a major threat. There is also broad support for climate action, yet there has been comparatively little policy development around climate issues. Why is there a disconnect between public beliefs and political action? What is the relationship between the public and politicians who are making, or not making, climate policy? What is the role of activists and the media in influencing this relationship? To better understand these issues, social psychology—the study of human social behavior, including social identity and group dynamics—can offer unique insights about the relationship between the public, politicians, media, and activists.
Key Findings and Proposed Solutions
People act in accordance with what they view as the norm of their ingroup (i.e. Democrats, Republicans, etc). Influences from political elites, media, activists, and other sources can influence the perception of social norms and thus increase or decrease support for climate policy.
People significantly underestimate the extent to which others are concerned about climate change and support climate policy. This disconnect can lead to decreased climate action and support for climate policies, but this effect may be reduced through increased assessments of public beliefs.
Legislators underestimate the support for compromise and overestimate the number of extreme, single-issue primary voters. More clearly communicating support for legislators in a primary election, if the legislator supports climate policy, could increase the impact of climate activists.
Activists have a critical role in conveying information to the public about policymaker actions, or inactions. This includes making the public aware of enacted climate policies and their associated benefits.
Media coverage can increase the “underestimation” effect which makes people believe that others do not support climate action. Accurately portraying public opinion could increase support for climate policy.