Ecological behavior as a research problem in domestic and foreign psychology

The article presents an analytical review of foreign and domestic studies on ecological behavior as a psychological phenomenon. The types (active or passive) and the goals of ecological behavior (creative and destructive) are considered. Theoretical interpretations and multiple contexts in understanding the basic concepts of ecological psychology, as well as its insufficient terminological precision are determined. The main scientific directions of research are provided such as pro-ecological behavior and age; pro-ecological behavior, identity and self-identification; collective efficiency and pro-ecological intentions; pro-ecological behavior, civil and personal responsibility; pro-ecological behavior and personality traits; values, beliefs and norms as predictors of ecological concern; pro-ecological behavior, personality traits and environmental performance index; ecological patterns of behavior. The structure of pro-ecological behavior is described, including: 1) identification of the behavior to be changed, 2) the study of the main factors underlying this behavior, 3) the development and application of interventions to change behavior in order to reduce environmental impact, 4) assessment of the intervention results. The general tendency of modern studies on ecological behavior is revealed, which consists of integrating the solution of practical problems with the need for theoretical understanding of constructs and models of ecological behavior. There is the disparity between the importance of the study on ecological behavior in ecological psychology and the number of proposed solutions; this allows to talk about a basic scientific contradiction between practical needs and the scientific research that could satisfy these needs. This determines the relevance of the issue of ecological behavior.