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A more dynamic understanding of human behaviour for the Anthropocene

Author

Listed:
  • Caroline Schill

    (The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
    Stockholm University)

  • John M. Anderies

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University
    School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University
    Institutions and the Environment, Arizona State University)

  • Therese Lindahl

    (The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
    Stockholm University)

  • Carl Folke

    (The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
    Stockholm University)

  • Stephen Polasky

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Juan Camilo Cárdenas

    (Universidad de Los Andes)

  • Anne-Sophie Crépin

    (The Beijer Institute of Ecological Economics, The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
    Stockholm University)

  • Marco A. Janssen

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University
    Institutions and the Environment, Arizona State University)

  • Jon Norberg

    (Stockholm University)

  • Maja Schlüter

    (Stockholm University)

Abstract

Human behaviour is of profound significance in shaping pathways towards sustainability. Yet, the approach to understanding human behaviour in many fields remains reliant on overly simplistic models. For a better understanding of the interface between human behaviour and sustainability, we take work in behavioural economics and cognitive psychology as a starting point, but argue for an expansion of this work by adopting a more dynamic and systemic understanding of human behaviour, that is, as part of complex adaptive systems. A complex adaptive systems approach allows us to capture behaviour as ‘enculturated’ and ‘enearthed’, co-evolving with socio–cultural and biophysical contexts. Connecting human behaviour and context through a complex adaptive systems lens is critical to inform environmental governance and management for sustainability, and ultimately to better understand the dynamics of the Anthropocene itself.

Suggested Citation

  • Caroline Schill & John M. Anderies & Therese Lindahl & Carl Folke & Stephen Polasky & Juan Camilo Cárdenas & Anne-Sophie Crépin & Marco A. Janssen & Jon Norberg & Maja Schlüter, 2019. "A more dynamic understanding of human behaviour for the Anthropocene," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(12), pages 1075-1082, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:2:y:2019:i:12:d:10.1038_s41893-019-0419-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-019-0419-7
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