2015 Convention Program Highlights

Review highlights of the Div. 34 (Society of Environmental Population and Conservation Psychology) program from the 2015 American Psychological Association Convention held on Aug. 6-9, 2015 in Toronto. The program was organized by Conference Chair Elise Amel and an active conference committee, and included a varied line-up of symposia, posters, award addresses, outdoor and social events, and other innovative sessions.

Be sure to join Div. 34 at the 124^th Annual APA Convention in Denver in Aug. 4-7, 2016.

Contact With Nature and Sustainable Behavior

• Does Participating in a School Garden When Using Curriculum Affect Students' Affinity Towards Nature?
  C.A. Carrion, Georgia State University
• The Potential of Urban Green Spaces As Informal Science Learning Environments
  Dr. R. Gupta, New Knowledge Organization

What's Good for the Planet is Good for Us

• Exercising for the Earth
  Dr. S. Schweighardt, College of New Jersey
• The Relationship of Connection to Nature and Motivation Toward the Environment on Subjective Well-Being
  N.M. Aitken and Dr. L.G. Pelletier, University of Ottawa
• How Nature Contact and Connectedness Can Increase Happiness and Sustainable Behavior
  Dr. L. Nisbet, Trent University

Engendering Sustainability

• Gendered Preferences for Emotional Framing of Climate Change Messages
  E. Dicicco, Penn State University Park; Dr. B. Bloodhart, George Mason University; and Dr. J.K. Swim, Penn State University Park
• Sustainability, Environment and Gender From European Perspective
  Dr. L. Dryjanska, Sapienza University of Rome

Teaching and Communicating about the Psychology of Sustainability

• Teaching About Climate Science Via the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation
  N. Geiger, Penn State University Park; Dr. J.K. Swim, Penn State University Park; and Dr. J. Fraser, New Knowledge Organization
• A Sustainable Psychology 2.0
  D.S. Podwika, Kankakee Community College
• Thinking Like an Ecologist: Using Systems Principles in the Psychology Classroom
  Dr. E.L. Amel, University of St. Thomas

Psychological Impact of Built Environments: Optimizing the Design of Hospitals, Prisons, and Workplaces

• Positive Distraction, Social Support, and Perceived Control in the Inpatient Hospital Room
  Dr. A.S. Devlin, Connecticut College; Dr. C. Andrade, Lisbon University Institute; and Dr. L. Lima, Lisbon University Institute
• Nature Imagery in Prisons Project: Bringing Technological Nature to Inmates in Solitary Confinement
  Dr. P. Hasbach, Independent Practice; Dr. N. Nadkarni, University of Utah; Dr. T. Thys, National Geographic Society; and E. Gaines, University of Utah
• Designing to Optimize Organizational — and Individual — Performance
  Dr. S. Augustin, Design With Science, and Dr. C.G. Banks, University of California-Berkeley

Interventions for a Sustainable World

• Scenarios Building: Strategy for Promoting Ecosystem Services in San Pedro De Atacama, Chile
  Dr. S.B. Salas, A.S. Bodini and A. Araya, Universidad de La Serena-Chile
• Eco-Volunteering Higher for Those Who Engaged in Social Dilemma Simulation
  Dr. P.B. Druen, York College of Pennsylvania, and S.J. Zawadzki, Penn State University Park
• Interactive Tenant Engagement As a Means of Reducing Energy Consumption
  Dr. C.V. Jansson-Boyd, R. Cloherty, Dr. C. Jimenez-Bescos, and R. Robinson, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, England

Preparedness and Resilience in the Face of Environmental Uncertainty and Trauma

• Psychological Treatment of Survivors of Man-Made Disasters
  Dr. J. Tramontana, Independent Practice
• National and International Interventions and Policies: Psychology's Influence at the United Nations
  Dr. J. Kuriansky, Columbia University in the City of New York
• On Becoming Prepared
  Dr. M. Cabán, Universidad Metropolitana, San Juan

The Psychology of Systems Thinking: Implications for Decision Making, Policy, & Practice

(collaboration with Div.8)

• What is Systems Thinking and How Shall We Measure It? An Introduction
  Dr. C.M. Frantz, Oberlin College; Dr. M. Stroink, Lakehead University; and Dr. P. Thibodeau, Oberlin College
• Systemic Metaphors Promote Systems Thinking
  Dr. P. Thibodeau, E. Tesney, K. Gehring, and Dr. C.M. Frantz, Oberlin College
• Systems Thinking and Psychological Resilience in the Lens of Complex Adaptive Systems Theory
  Dr. M. Stroink, W. Leppanen, and E. Trovarello, Lakehead University

Environmental Activism in the Digital Age: Saving the World in Bits and Bytes

(collaboration with Div. 8)

• Leveraging Social Media for the Social Good: Lessons from the World Wildlife Fund
  D. Miller, World Wildlife Fund-Canada
• Using Media Technology to Promote Sustainability: The Oberlin Community Voices Project
  Dr. C.M. Frantz, Dr. J. Petersen, Dr. R. Shammin, J. Ginn, and D. R. Daneri, Oberlin College

Policy Contexts Shaping Green Decision Making

(collaboration with Div. 3)

• Designing Climate Change Mitigation Policies
  Dr. J. deGroot, University of Bath, and Dr. L. Steg, University of Groningen
• Do We Need rules for 'What's Mine is Yours'?
  B. Hartl, Dr. E. Hofmann, Dr. E. Kirchler, & Dr. E. Penz, University of Vienna

Psychological Dimensions of "Green" Decision Making

(collaboration with Div. 21)

• Probability Revisions, Psychological Closeness, and Environmental Action
  Dr. S. Maglio, University of Toronto Scarborough, and Dr. E. Polman, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• What Drives EV Adoption? It's Not Always About the Money
  Dr. N. Sintov, and A. Zadeh, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
• Cross-Cultural Examination of Consumer's Product Categorization and Perceptions of Green Products
  Dr. E. Kim, University of Florida

Community Resilience in the Face of Global Climate Change

(collaboration with Div. 8)

• Community Resilience in the Face of Global Climate Change
  Dr. S. Clayton, The College of Wooster
• FloodRISE: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Leverage Technology for Resilience.
  Dr. B. Karlin, Dr. R. Matthew, Dr. Victoria Basolo, Dr. D. Houston, Dr. D. Feldman, Dr. B. Sanders, K. Goodrich, S. Contreras, and W. Cheung, University of California Irvine
• Barriers to Participation in Climate Adaptation Planning Among Low Income and Communities of Color
  Dr. C.M. Manning and Dr. R. Phadke, Macalester College

Teach 'em What They Don't Want to Know

(collaboration with Div. 2, 36 and 44)

• Pedagogical Techniques for Connecting Understanding to Belief
  Dr. R.L. Miller, Texas A&M University
• Using Problem-Based Learning to Examine Implications of Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy
  Dr. R. Searight, Lake Superior State University
• The Climate Change Controversy Contributes to Learning in the Psychology Classroom
  Dr. C.M. Manning, Macalester College

HIRE ME! Seeking Employment in Academia

(collaboration with Div. 1, 6, 8, 12 and 27)

• Job Talks that Get You Hired
  Dr. M.J. Prinstein, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• How to Secure an Academic Job: Advice for Early to Mid-Level Career Psychologists
  Dr. P.R. Pietromonaco, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• How to Impress When Interviewing For a Research Focused Academic Position
  Dr. G.S. Cree, University of Toronto Scarborough

Environmental Sustainability at Work: Understanding Workplace Behavior and Motivation

(collaboration with Div. 14)

• The Psychology of Sustainability in Organizations
  C.H. Rodriguez, E.S. Corwin, and Dr. R.G. Jones, Missouri State University
• Exploring the Psychological Impacts of Learning Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Workplace
  Dr. G. Burke
• Saving Energy in the Workplace: why, and for Whom?
  Dr. C. Leygue, E. Ferguson, and A. Spence, University of Nottingham

What is the "Real World" Anyway? Exploring Design in Built and Virtual Worlds

(collaboration with Div. 46)

• Smartphones, Urban Youth, and the Spaces of Everyday Life
  Dr. S. Misra, Virginia Tech, and Dr. C. Trivedi, University of California-Irvine
• Redefining Learning Spaces
  Dr. P. Rutledge, Media Psychology Research Center, and Dr. J.L. Hogg, Fielding Graduate University
• Centering: Exploring Restorative Experiences at a Ceramics Studio
  E. Maor, The City University of New York

Technology and Environmental Behavior: Natural Enemies or Just Plain Natural?

(collaboration with Div. 8 and 46)

• Enhancing STEM Content Retention and Conservation Behavior Using "Environmental Dashboard" Display
  S. Clark, Dr. J. Petersen, Dr. C.M. Frantz, Dr. D. Roose, Dr. R. Shammin, J. Ginn, and D.R. Daneri, Oberlin College
• What's That Buzzing Noise? Public Acceptance of Drone Use for Environmental Conservation
  Dr. E. Markowitz, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Dr. A.J. Danylchuk, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and M.C. Nisbet, Northeastern University
• Tangible Eco-Feedback: Ditching the Digital Dashboard Dash
  Dr. A. Sanguinetti, J. Woodjack, and J. Leng, University of California-Davis

• Blending Conservation Psychology With Person-Place Meanings: A Research Summary and Discussion
• The Adirondack Forty-Sixers Cohort Study: A Biopsychosocial Approach of Outdoor Affordances
• Social Cognitive Predictors of Student Pro-Environmental Behaviors
• Ecological Worldview Mediates the Relationship Between Systems Mindset and Connectivity to Nature
• Self-Perception and Climate Change: Labeling a New Era of Environmentalists
• The Language of Food: A Qualitative Exploration of How We Find Meaning in What We Eat
• Operationalizing Place Allegiance Through the Psychological Continuum Model: Initial Findings
• How Do People Respond to Green Exercise? the Role of Environmental Factors
• Change in Pro-Environmental Behavior Intentions After Receiving Correct Information of CO2 Reduction
• The Meaning of Nature: Transcendent Emotions
• Sublime Emotion: Transcendent Emotion in the Experience With Nature and Pro-Environmentality
• Proximity Vs. Connection to Nature and Its Impact on Well-Being
• Could Dissemination of Effective Psychotherapies Protect Fish, Shrimp, and Water?
• Arid Land Images Reduce the Motivation for Change
• Earthquake Coming: Attitudes of Residents Who Live in High- Versus Low-Risk Local Zones
• Changing Intentions: Effects on Subsequent Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviour
• Market Segmentation of Preference for Plug-in Electric Vehicles Based on Psychological Determinants
• Designing Sustainable Culture: Restoring the Community, Greenspace, and the Built Environment

• Urban Walk: Assessing Environmental Injustice Through the Lost Rivers of Toronto
• Guided walk (3.5k and 7k loops) along Russell Creek to hear about the area's natural history and ecological injustices imposed during city development. Discussion includes the potential for urban natural spaces to facilitate human flourishing.
  Dr. Elizabeth Page-Gould, University of Toronto

• Psychology for Sustainability
  Dr. Britain Scott, University of St. Thomas

• Toward a Just and Sustainable Future: Insights from Career and Innovation Award Winners and Conversation Hour (this conversation will focus on how psychologists of all career levels and backgrounds can contribute to sustainable human behavior)
  Dr. Doug McKenzie-Mohr, McKenzie-Mohr Associates
  Dr. Susan Saegert, CUNY Graduate Center
  Do Lee, CUNY Graduate Center

• Wednesday evening Science Social Hour with Div. 3, 6 and 8.
• Friday evening with Div. 34: Bring a colleague to toast our awardees and mingle.

• Find out about the state of the division and help establish goals for its future, which looks bright.

Nature Therapy

• A Continuum of Care Among Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Models
• The Psychological Impact of Animals in the Lives of Three Diverse, Global Populations
• Your Hidden Partner In Assessment and Treatment: Children's Experiences with Animals

Teaching

• Developing Student Competencies through the Teaching of Qualitative Inquiry
• Internationalizing the Psychology Curriculum: Teaching, Tips, and Technology
• Teaching about the Self and Others through Study Abroad
• The Flipped Classroom: Pros, Cons and Practicalities
• The Secret to our Success: Efficacy of Peer Mentoring & Tutoring on General Psychology

Research Methods

• Methodological Advances: The Methodological Best Practices Methodologists want you to Know
• Suggested Remedies for Controlling Common Method Bias
• Ethics Toolkit: Guiding Principles for Research in Collaboration with Native Communities
• Researching human action: The Action-Project method
• Indigenous Culture and Scientific Psychology: Toward a Dialogue

Professional Concerns

• Facilitating Transitions from Doctoral Education to First Job: Opening Doors Summit
• Using Media Technology for the Benefits of Collaboration among Divisions and Associations
• Sell Yourself: Practical Tips for Negotiating the Position and Salary You Deserve
• The Professoriate 101 & 102: Advice on Thriving in Graduate School and Your First Job
• Beyond Federal Funding: Seeking out funding opportunities from private institutions and foundations

Population

• LGBTQ Reproductive and Family-Building Experiences: Invisible Groups and Understudied Topics
• Inequalities Experienced by International Migrants: Psychosocial and Human Rights Perspectives

Community Resilience

• The Zombies are Coming! Creating Community Partnerships to Develop a Youth Resilience Program
• Empowering Adaptable Communities: Building Resilience through Community-based Research and Action
• Understanding Indigenous and Refugee Peoples' Experiences of Posttraumatic Growth and Resilience
• Refugees in International Settings: Interventions, Support and Group Work
• Impacting Individuals and Society: Applying Psychology in an Era of Uncertainty

Justice and Peace

• Albert Bandura and Frank Farley, Canadian-American APA Presidents in Discussion of Moral Disengagement, Terror, Risk, More
• Is Psychology Enough? Multidimensional Paradigms Towards Social Justice and Global Peace