[Vision2020] System Justification, the Denial of Global Warming, and the Possibility of “System-Sanctioned Change”

[Ted Moffett]

http://psp.sagepub.com/content/36/3/326.abstract

System Justification, the Denial of Global Warming, and the
Possibility of “System-Sanctioned Change”

Irina Feygina
New York University, New York, NY, irina.feygina at nyu.edu

John T. Jost
New York University, New York, NY

Rachel E. Goldsmith
Reed College, Portland, Oregon

Abstract

Despite extensive evidence of climate change and environmental
destruction, polls continue to reveal widespread denial and resistance
to helping the environment. It is posited here that these responses
are linked to the motivational tendency to defend and justify the
societal status quo in the face of the threat posed by environmental
problems. The present research finds that system justification
tendencies are associated with greater denial of environmental
realities and less commitment to pro-environmental action. Moreover,
the effects of political conservatism, national identification, and
gender on denial of environmental problems are explained by
variability in system justification tendencies. However, this research
finds that it is possible to eliminate the negative effect of system
justification on environmentalism by encouraging people to regard
pro-environmental change as patriotic and consistent with protecting
the status quo (i.e., as a case of “system-sanctioned change”).
Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are
discussed.

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Vision2020 Post: Ted Moffett