Photo of Stephan Mayer
  • Professor of Psychology

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Education

  • BA, University Southern California, 1976
  • PhD, University Southern California, 1982

Biography

Trained as a social psychologist, over the years I have now become interested environmental psychology and peace and conflict studies. Presently, I teach an introductory social psychology class, a personality/social psychology laboratory class, an upper-level seminar focused on the psychology of environmental sustainability and how contact with the natural world enhanced personal well-being, and co-teach an introductory class on peace and conflict studies with a professor from the Politics Department. I have also conducted private readings on prejudice and discrimination, as well as creativity/positive psychology.

My research primarily focuses on psychological factors related to environmental sustainability and how contact with the natural world enhances our personal well-being. I have been involved in this research for the past 20 years. I have a book coming out in the fall, Changing Psychological Worldviews to Confront Climate Change: A Clearer Vision, A Different Path, that presents much of this work.

It has been my good fortune to work with many students on a variety of research projects. We have published together, gone to national conferences, and generally have simply had a wonderful time working together on many interesting ideas. I love research and writing and I share this passion with my students.

I love to hike, camp, and take long bike rides. I have always loved a wide variety of music, and during the past 3 years my wife and I have found ourselves going out dancing 2 or 3 times each week. Gardening and bird watching are hobbies that occupy much of my time. My involvement in Peace Community Church also plays a significant role in my life.

  • Frantz, C. M., & Mayer, F. S.  (2009).  The Emergency of Climate Change: Why Are We Failing to Take Action?  Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy, 9, 205-222. 
  • Mayer, F. S., Frantz, C. M., Bruehlman-Senecal, E., & Dolliver, K.  (2009).  Why Is Nature Beneficial? The Role of Connectedness to Nature.  Environment and Behavior, 41, 607-643.
  • Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M.  (2008).  Framing the Question of Survival: Psychological
  • Insights and Limitations.  Conservation Biology, 22, 823-825.
  • Frantz, C. M., Mayer, F. S., Norton, C., & Rock, M.  (2005).  There is no “I” in nature:  The influence of self awareness on connectedness to nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25, 425-436.

Notes

  • Cindy Frantz and Stephen Mayer Publish Article in Journal of Social Issues

    May 19, 2014

    Associate Professor of Psychology Cindy Frantz and Professor of Psychology Stephen Mayer published an article entitled “The Emergence of Climate Change.” The article appears in the Journal of Social Issues, a publication of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. It explores the psychology behind the disparities between the scientific consensus on climate change and people’s willingness to recognize and respond to it.

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