Dominant Species Syndrome A New Concept to Understand and Change Unsustainable Human Behavior

DOI: 10.5176/2251-1865_CBP17.22

Authors: Jacqueline Susan Feather and Amanda Shea Hart

Abstract: Dominant Species Syndrome (DSS) has been developed as a psychosocial concept to understand and facilitate change in the human behavior that is causing environmental damage and species devastation. The syndrome describes the individual behaviors, cognitions and physiological reactions that characterize our current unsustainable human way of life. With a background working in the field of child abuse and neglect, the presenters draw parallels to understand how human beings have evolved with behavior that needs to be recognized and addressed as being abusive and neglectful at a species level on planet Earth. Drawing on cognitive, behavioral and social theories, the presenters will outline their ideas about criteria that characterize this syndrome and explore some possible ways to intervene and change behavior at individual and social levels.

Keywords: syndrome; unsustainable; behavior change; psychosocial