Psychological Research and Energy Policy

Argues that psychology can provide valuable input to energy policy but that its contribution has been impeded by psychologists' general unfamiliarity with world and national energy systems. A behaviorally oriented analysis of the US energy system is presented, and its implications for psychological research are discussed. The analysis identifies behaviors with major conservation potential that have been little studied by psychologists. It further suggests that subdisciplines that have not attended to energy issues could make major contributions and that psychologists could move beyond energy conservation concerns to make important policy contributions in areas affecting energy supply. Emphasis is given to the need to conduct research with an awareness of major long-term trends in national and global energy systems. (52 ref)