đ Reading & Research
Articles discussed in recent community meetings
These are recent publications our community has explored together during our meetings. Join us to discuss emerging research and its applications.
Skinner, B. F. (1987). Why we are not acting to save the world. Upon further reflection, 1-14.
Skinner addresses why we fail to act on environmental problems despite knowing the solutions. Traditional explanations (e.g., lack of responsibility, intelligence, or willpower) don't answer the real question. The core issue: We are being asked to act for a future that cannot reinforce our behavior. Both natural selection and operant conditioning prepare organisms only for futures resembling the past. We evolved to respond to immediate consequences, not distant, uncertain futures. This leaves us ill-equipped for novel, long-term threats like climate change. Institutions like governments, religions, and economic systems maintain control through immediate consequences but prioritize their own survival over the species' future. The uncommittedâscientists, educators, writersâmust design new cultural practices where immediate, face-to-face consequences support long-term survival.
The challenge for behavior analysts: designing systems that provide immediate reinforcement for behaviors serving long-term environmental outcomes (not imposed through warnings or moral appeals).
Graham, M.E.; Gelino, B.W.; Sutley, E.J.; Reed, D.D. Behavioral Economic Analysis of Framing Effects on Residential Safe Room Demand. Nat. Hazards Rev. 2026, 27, https://doi.org/10.1061/nhrefo.nheng-2461
Celli, L., Villa, C.P., Ogata, M.Y. et al. Pro-environmental Behavioral Changes Through Science Communication in the Digital and Social Media Ecosystem: The Effects of Clube da CaçambaâUEL Project. Behav. Soc. Iss. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-025-00215-7
Tagliabue, M., & ĹÄgosz-Tagliabue, I. K. (2024). Culturo-Behavioral Contributions to a Sustainable Market: The Interplay of Producersâ and Consumersâ Practices. Behavior and Social Issues, 33(1), 16-35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42822-024-00159-4
Chater N, Loewenstein G. (2023) The i-frame and the s-frame: How focusing on individual-level solutions has led behavioral public policy astray. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 46, e147: 1â84. doi:10.1017/ S0140525X22002023
Dolan, P., Hallsworth, M., Halpern, D., King, D., Metcalfe, R., & Vlaev, I. (2012). Influencing behaviour: The mindspace way. Journal of economic psychology, 33(1), 264-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2011.10.009
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