How to Make Ethical Decisions of Consumption

In spite of growing concerns about the climate, many people have a difficult time fundamentally changing their behavior. Why do we often fail to transition toward more sustainable consumption even when we have the knowledge and willingness to do so? The common answer is lack of individual willpower or self-control. There are often structural barriers that make sustainable consumption difficult, like lack of infrastructure or economic incentives that foster behaviors that harm the environment. Lack of social awareness can also be an issue, such as in environments with no sustainable conduct or in which sustainability is not taken seriously.

The SUSCON project

In the SUSCON project, Hofmann explores how heavily our attitudes are influenced by a mindset of autonomy, i.e., the idea that change is primarily possible through individual desire and action. According to his central thesis, this mindset can entail structural blindness: One who believes that they alone bear responsibility often oversees how much everyday actions are impacted by social, economic, and political conditions. Through several empirical studies, the project hopes to show how to adopt a shift in perspective toward a structure-oriented mindset. By using cooperative games, daily diary studies, and a Europe-wide policy panel, the project seeks to investigate the psychological mechanisms that can result in greater problem awareness, more cooperation, and stronger support for effective policy measures.