Narrative : an ontology, epistemology and methodology for pro-environmental psychology research

Brown, P

Abstract

The actions of individuals are recognised as crucial in reducing energy demand and shifting people towards sustainable energy sources. Much of the work has occurred within environmental psychology and has been built upon a social cognitive paradigm which attempts to explain the drives, forces and processes which explain and determine individual behaviour. Despite the volume of this work the promotion of pro-environmental behaviour has not achieved broad transformations in energy conservation behaviours. Recently researchers working in the field of pro-environmental research have started to draw on narrative in their work as a framework to (re)integrate the individual into their historical, social and cultural settings. However, this work when applied to energy conservation remains in its infancy. This paper adds to the growing literature which is increasingly asserting the key role for narrative in the field of pro-environmental psychology research. The paper articulates the foundations of the narrative turn from its development within literary theory to its adoption by the social sciences, with particular reference to psychological theory. This paper provides a review of the ways in which taking a narrative perspective can offer rich insights into complex phenomena as well as potential ways to reconceptualise ways forward for energy research.

Citation

Brown, P. (2017). Narrative : an ontology, epistemology and methodology for pro-environmental psychology research. Energy Research and Social Science, 31, 215-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 2, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Jun 20, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 13, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 22, 2017
• Journal: Energy Research & Social Science
• Electronic ISSN: 2214-6296
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 31
• Pages: 215-222
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.006
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2017.06.006
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy-research-and-social-science/