View this Seminar

Janet Swim, Penn State

Janet Swim is Professor of Psychology at Penn State. Her research addresses perceptions and responses to current social and environmental issues. Much of her current research has been inspired by her work for American Psychological Association as the chair of a recently completed task force report on the interface between psychology and global climate change. Currently, she is examining the ways that values, beliefs systems, and self-reflective and group-based emotions influence receptivity to and interest in information about climate change and willingness to engage in environmentally responsible behavior. This work includes making connections between her past research on social justice issues to issues that emerge when studying global climate change. In a more practical domain, she is currently assisting the Office of Physical Plant in their efforts to decrease students’ energy use in the resident halls via the use of pro-active coping mechanisms and social networks.