PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE GROUND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Managing ground resources sustainably is a growing challenge that requires understanding not only environmental and economic factors but also the psychological aspects of human behavior. This paper explores the psychological factors that influence individual and group decisions about conserving and using ground resources. Drawing from environmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and behavioral economics, it examines how perceptions, biases, attitudes, and motivations affect sustainable resource management. Key psychological concepts such as cognitive dissonance, social norms, and identity are discussed in relation to resource conservation. The paper also explores how emotions like fear and guilt, as well as habits and mental shortcuts, can either support or hinder sustainable behavior. Additionally, it highlights psychological strategies such as nudging, framing, and incentives that can promote long-term behavioral change for resource sustainability. By incorporating these psychological insights into management strategies, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of how human behavior can support sustainable ground resource management.