Social Psychology

Social Psychology within the department incorporates a variety of research topics including psychology and the internet; the effects of video and computer game playing on adolescents; lesbian and gay psychology; the psychological aspects of recycling and other pro-environmental behaviours; the psychology of physical attraction.

Group members 

• Tom Buchanan
• John Colwell
• Ian Hodges
• Carol Pearson
• Alan Porter
• Rosemary Snelgar
• Viren Swami

Current projects

Engagement with Internet technology.

There is evidence that people differ in the extent to which they are comfortable using Internet technologies (e.g communications, virtual learning environments, social networks). A series of current projects are examining the role of Internet self-efficacy (our ideas about our competences in dealing with the internet) and the self concept as determinants of engagement with a number of different types of technology. For more information contact Tom Buchanan buchant@wmin.ac.uk

Psychological aspects of pro-environmental behaviours

Pro-environmental behaviours are behaviours which are thought to benefit the natural environment (including personal buying behaviour, travel behaviour, recycling, and active participation in pro-environmental organisations). People differ in the degree to which they exhibit these behaviours. Various models have been used to explain pro-environmental behaviours, with varying degrees of success. One model proposes that environmental concerns are determined partly by three types of value: egoistic, or self; altruistic, or other people; and biospheric, or other species. A comparison of environmental concern scales, and of whether the three-value structure holds in a UK population, has recently been published. That research is continuing. Other research with respect to pro-environmental behaviour includes gender differences, self-identify, attitudes, and beliefs. For more information contact R.Snelgar@wmin.ac.uk