Eva Garcia-Vazquez (University of Oviedo, Spain) and Cristina Garcia-Ael (UNED, Madrid, Spain), published in Sustainable Production and Consumption (2021).
This systematic review analyzes psychosocial factors influencing public responses to the microplastic crisis, emphasizing knowledge gaps and pro-environmental behaviors. Microplastics (<5 mm), either primary (e.g., microbeads in cosmetics) or secondary (e.g., fibers from laundry), pollute oceans via land runoff, wastewater, and degradation, threatening biodiversity, climate, and human health through ingestion and inhalation. Despite global efforts like UN SDG 14 and bans on microbeads, top-down governance overlooks public awareness, as citizens drive emissions via consumption.
Methods
Following PRISMA, authors searched databases (PsycINFO, Web of Science, etc.) using terms like “microplastics AND psychology” up to January 2021, retaining 33 peer-reviewed articles (17 with original data) after filtering 994 hits. They coded psychosocial variables (knowledge, awareness, risk perception), used contingency statistics on keywords, and clustered terms via VOSviewer from titles/abstracts/keywords. Hypotheses tested: knowledge drives behavior; invisibility relies on external info; values mediate change.
Key Findings
Knowledge emerged central, linking directly to willingness-to-pay (WTP) and behavior change (e.g., avoiding microbead products post-education). Experimental studies (e.g., brochures, modules) boosted awareness; media/internet are primary sources, but science communication is poor. Risk perception and control were secondary; values/attitudes mattered variably.
Research skews European (11/17 studies), ignoring Africa despite high emissions; cultural differences exist (e.g., higher WTP in low-trust Portugal vs. Germany/Norway). Sociodemographics: education correlates with awareness; age/gender effects inconsistent. Clustering showed “knowledge” → “consumers” → “microplastic pollution” → “WTP/behavior.”
Implications and Recommendations
Knowledge trumps risk perception for action; invisibility/spatial distance hinders change. Reviews focus governance; data emphasize individuals. Propose: knowledge baselines; value mediation studies; expand to Africa/intercultural work; industry/politician views; better science outreach (visuals, e.g., Artemia videos); education integration.
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