Autonomous Agency and Social Psychology
Nahmias, Eddy. 2007. “Autonomous Agency and Social Psychology.” In Springer eBooks, 169–85. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5444-0_13.
Abstract:
The paper discusses the concept of autonomous agency, emphasizing its definition as the ability to govern oneself without external manipulation. It explores the psychological challenges to this agency, particularly drawing on social psychology, which suggests that unconscious influences and situational factors significantly affect human behavior, potentially undermining the perception of autonomy. Through a detailed examination of these threats, the paper argues that true autonomy requires not only freedom of action but also reflectively chosen principles and internal consistency among desires.
Agency is important because it gives players a sense of control and ownership over their choices. When eco games rely too much on social comparison, it can make people feel like they are just copying others instead of thinking for themselves. This can make players less likely to reflect or truly engage with sustainable behavior.