Course: Psychology of the climate crisis

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Course title Psychology of the climate crisis
Course code MRS/GUPKK
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminar
Level of course Master
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Slovák Ľuboš, Mgr. et Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Svobodová Renáta, Mgr.
Course content
- perceptions of climate change from a psychological perspective, - factors influencing attitudes and behaviors toward climate change and climate protection, - emotional experiences of the climate crisis, - ways in which people psychologically cope with the climate crisis, - the psychology of communicating climate change and climate protection, - climate attitudes and behaviors of the Czech population.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
The goal of the course is for the students to understand relevant psychological theories and learn how to apply them in the context of the climate crisis and communication about it.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to: - explain human behavior in relation to the climate crisis from a psychological perspective, - apply psychological theories to the perception, behavior, and experience of climate change and its communication, - reflect on the communication of climate change and climate protection based on theories and available data, - understand the climate attitudes and behaviors of the Czech population.
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Recommended literature
  • American Psychological Association. (2009). Psychology and Global Climate Change: Addressing a Multi-faceted Phenomenon and Set of Challenges. Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change.
  • Helm, S. V., Li, X., Curran, M. A., & Barnett, M. A. (2022). Coping profiles in the context of global environmental threats: A person-centered approach.
  • Kahneman, D. (2012). Myšlení rychle a pomalé. Brno.
  • Kovács, L. N., Jordan, G., Berglund, F., Holden, B., Niehoff, E., Pohl, F., Younssi, M., Zevallos, I., Ágoston, C., Varga, A., & Kökönyei, G. (2024). Acting as we feel: Which emotional responses to the climate crisis motivate climate action.
  • Marshall, G. (přel. T. Kačer). (2022). Ani na to nemyslete: Proč náš mozek ignoruje klimatickou změnu.
  • Norgaard, K. M. (2011). Living in denial: Climate change, emotions, and everyday life. Cambridge, Massachusetts ; London, England.
  • Tavris, C., & Aronson, E. (2012). Chyby se staly (ale ne mou vinou): Proč omlouváme svoje hloupé názory, chybná rozhodnutí a špatné skutky. Praha.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Global Sustainable Development - specialization in International Development (2026) Category: Geography courses - Recommended year of study:-, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Global Sustainable Development - specialization in Transition to Sustainability (2026) Category: Geography courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter