NSCPHD1159 Motivation and behaviour in relation to climate change

Volume 2013/2014
Content
This course introduces PhD students to theoretical approaches to study motivation and behaviour in relation to climate change, and to enable students to apply these in their own work. The course covers the role of factors such as Experiences and perceptions of ‘climate’, Emotions, Norms and values, Identity construction and social relations, Rational choice and financial incentives, Media and public debates. Implications for governance and climate policy will be discussed.

Through the course, students will get knowledge of different approaches to study motivation and behaviour related to climate change adaption and mitigation:

Motivation, behaviour and behavioural change can be studied at various levels and based on varying assumptions of human action. The research field spans from detailed social psychology studies of specific, individual behaviour (e.g. theory of planned behaviour), to sociological and policy studies of social change, whether caused by social dynamics, or structural factors.

Similarly, some theories anticipate (economic) rational choice as guiding human behaviour, whether economic rationality or extended rationality, e.g. also including considerations of own vs. others' norms and expectations. Other theories, in contrast, focus less on rationales and more on direct experience and how this is formative for behavioural change.

The course introduces these different theories through lectures, literature and exercises. The course covers the role of factors such as experiences and perceptions of ‘climate’, emotions, norms and values, identity construction and social relations, rational choice and financial incentives, media and public debates. Implications for governance and climate policy will be discussed.

Through colloquia, exercises and preparation of written essays, students are encouraged to discuss the theories, underlying assumptions of human nature and of how we can get knowledge about human behaviour. Also, students are expected to consider the implications of behavioural theories to policy practice. How do the different ways by which we can look upon human behaviour also enable or limit how we think of ways to enable behavioural change that can affect efforts towards climate adaptation and climate mitigation?
Learning Outcome
The aim of this course is to introduce PhD students to a set of theoretical approaches to study motivation and behaviour in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and to enable students to apply these in their own work.

Based on the course, it is expected that the student can
- understand and describe a set of theories of motivation and behaviour.
- apply relevant theory to the study of human behaviour and behavioural change related to climate change.
- critically discuss possible relations between motivation and behaviour, climate change mitigation and adaption efforts, and the political, legal, administrative and managerial set up
Literature
Expected around 5-600 pages research literature and student essays
The course is centered around a five-day workshop consisting of lectures, cases, exercises and student presentations and discussions of essays based on their own project and the course literature. The lectures are given by experts from the different fields. Prior to the course, the students prepare and hand in an essay based on the course literature and related to their own research project. Each student will be discussant on at least two student essays.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 12
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Guidance
  • 2
  • Lectures
  • 24
  • Preparation
  • 100
  • Project work
  • 55
  • Theory exercises
  • 12
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment under invigilation
Requirements for exam: 1) In advance of the course each participant prepares and hands in an essay relevant to her/his own PhD project based on the course material. 2) Active participation in the course including paper presentation and being discussant on other student papers. Exam: The essay will be evaluated as passed/failed. Censorship: Internal censorship.