TY - JOUR

T1 - Navigating cognition biases in the search of sustainability

AU - Engler, John Oliver

AU - Abson, David J.

AU - von Wehrden, Henrik

PY - 2019/6/15

Y1 - 2019/6/15

N2 - We provide a conceptual review of the available knowledge on the role of human cognition biases for sustainability and sustainable behavior. Human cognition biases are defined as any deviation in decision making from the standard framework of rational choice. We distinguish between biases in individual decision making and biases in group decision making, and highlight the relevance of each for sustainable behavior. We find that while both categories may contribute to unsustainable behavior, human cognition biases in group settings might be central to understanding many of the current sustainability issues. Moreover, we argue that the effects of group-related biases may outweigh those on the individual level in driving unsustainable behavior, and that biases that have been discussed under various labels in the literature can be interpreted as manifestations of human cognition biases in group settings.

AB - We provide a conceptual review of the available knowledge on the role of human cognition biases for sustainability and sustainable behavior. Human cognition biases are defined as any deviation in decision making from the standard framework of rational choice. We distinguish between biases in individual decision making and biases in group decision making, and highlight the relevance of each for sustainable behavior. We find that while both categories may contribute to unsustainable behavior, human cognition biases in group settings might be central to understanding many of the current sustainability issues. Moreover, we argue that the effects of group-related biases may outweigh those on the individual level in driving unsustainable behavior, and that biases that have been discussed under various labels in the literature can be interpreted as manifestations of human cognition biases in group settings.

KW - Environmental decision making

KW - Human cognition biases

KW - Rational choice

KW - Sustainable behavior

KW - Sustainability Science

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053640272&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s13280-018-1100-5

DO - 10.1007/s13280-018-1100-5

M3 - Scientific review articles

C2 - 30218270

AN - SCOPUS:85053640272

VL - 48

SP - 605

EP - 618

JO - Ambio

JF - Ambio

SN - 0044-7447

IS - 6

ER -