Perceptions and Challenges of Design for Sustainable Behavior

Abstract

Sustainable behaviour (SB) constitutes the set of actions aimed at protecting the socio-physical environment. Occasionally, this behaviour is approached as having negative antecedent-instigators (dread, blame), activated to refrain undesirable outcomes from environmental degradation. It is presented that the positive psychological antecedents (merit, abilities, strengths, and emotions), as well as the positive psychological consequences (satisfaction, psychological well-being, and happiness), of SB are also significant determinants of pro-environmental actions. Although "sustainable behaviour" is, in practical terms, synonymous with "pro-environmental behaviour," the latter has been used to emphasize on efforts to protect the natural environment, while the former specifies actions aimed at protecting both the natural and the human (social) environments. A short discussion is also presented on the definition of Design for Sustainable Behaviour (DfSB), on behaviours and habits, and the question of changes in behaviour. Examples of products that provide the changes on behaviours and habits are shown as well as a general view of the DfSB current research and proposed approaches for future investigations.