PsychWorld

We all know that America is not a perfect country. Neither is any other country in the world. However, despite knowing that where we live is not ideal and that a little change can make a big difference, very few people stand up for change. Instead, we justify our country and continue to accept the small or big injustices we face every day, especially if we feel trapped where we are, according to a new study published in Psychological Science.

We hear about the negative effects of oil on the environment every day, yet we don’t really do much about it according to new research described in ScienceDaily. How many of you walk instead of taking the car to the grocery store two blocks away? How many of you choose to buy an SUV because it’s roomier instead of an energy-efficient car?  How many of you keep the lights on when you leave the room? University of Alberta researcher Imre Szeman blames our lack of initiative on the way environmental issues are structured.

Whether global warming is a convenient or an inconvenient truth, higher temperatures increase human aggression according to a new report published in National Geographic which analyzed average yearly temperatures and number of violent crimes in the U.S. between 1950 and 2008. Assuming global warming is real, if the average temperature in the U.S. increases by 8 degrees Fahrenheit, we can expect an increase of 100,000 additional murders and assaults per year. It might be a good idea for your child to take those self-defense classes after all, since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that temperatures could rise by 2 to 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100 if people aren’t more environmentally responsible.

Although people who buy green products are seen as altruistic, they may be purchasing green products for egotistic reasons according to a new study by University of Minnesota Professor Vladas Griskevicius. Buying a green product is like buying designer jeans: it makes you look good and it shows your status. What better way to show your friends that you’re altruistic than by purchasing a green product that costs more and is lower in quality but is better for everyone?

We consider people who purchase green products to be more cooperative, altruistic, and ethical than those who purchase conventional products according to a new study by University of Toronto researchers. But does merely joining a Green Facebook group make you better? As of March 14, 2010, the “GO GREEN!!” Facebook green group has 1,019,712 members, the “Green Peace” Facebook green group, has 53,501 members, and the “GO GREEN!” Facebook green group (notice only one exclamation mark instead of two for this group) has 43,305 members. These three groups are the most popular out of many Facebook groups that promote environmental responsibility. A new study shows that joining a green Facebook group may make you more altruistic.