Robert Gifford

Professor
Ph.D. 1976 (Simon Fraser)
joined Department in 1979

My research interests are at the interface of environmental, social, and personality psychology. I try to combine all three areas in studies of resource management, social judgment and cognition, nonverbal behaviour, and the perception of architecture. I also develop tools to measure personality, environmental, and social constructs. My goal is to combine these interests into studies that simultaneously advance theory and improve built and natural environments.

Interests

Environmental
Social
Personality

Program affiliations

Social psychology

Publications

Gifford, R., & Comeau, L. (in press). Message framing influences perceived climate change competence, engagement, and behavioral intentions. Global Environmental Change.

Gifford, R, & Cave, M. (in press). The complementary natures of resource theory and interpersonal evaluation theory. In Törnblom, K. & Kazemi, A. (Eds.) (in press). Handbook of social resource theory. New York: Springer.

Gifford, R. (2011). The dragons of inaction: Psychological barriers that limit climate change mitigation and adaptation. American Psychologist, 66, 290-302.

Gifford, R. (2011). The role of nonverbal communication in interpersonal relations. In L. Horowitz & S. Strack (Eds.), Handbook of interpersonal psychology: Theory, research, assessment, and therapeutic interventions. New York: Wiley.

Gifford, R. (2008). Toward a comprehensive model of social dilemmas. In A. Biel, D. Eek, T. Gärling, & M. Gustafsson (Eds.). New issues and paradigms in research on social dilemmas. Springer.

Gifford, R. (2007). Environmental psychology: Principles and practice (4th edition). Colville, WA: Optimal Books.