Community-engaged research is best positioned to catalyze systemic change

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Behavioral Science
• Environmental Policy

Background:

• Social challenges necessitate both structural and behavioral transformations.
• Existing frameworks often present an oversimplified dichotomy between individual (i-frame) and societal (s-frame) change.
• This binary limits understanding of how behavioral science can support grassroots collective action.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an integrative framework for understanding social change.
• To explore how behavioral science can foster bottom-up collective action.
• To reframe the role of behavioral science in addressing complex societal issues like climate change.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of existing social change theories.
• Integration of behavioral science principles with community-based action models.
• Development of a "community-frame" perspective.

Main Results:

• The i-frame/s-frame dichotomy is insufficient for capturing the nuances of social change.
• A community-frame perspective offers a more holistic approach.
• Behavioral science can effectively promote collective action within this integrative view.

Conclusions:

• Adopting a community-frame perspective enhances our understanding of social change dynamics.
• This perspective highlights the potential of behavioral science to empower collective action for societal benefit.
• Policymakers and the public can leverage this integrative view to address critical challenges such as climate change.