Lauren Vinnell
Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understand and increase natural hazard preparedness

Lauren Vinnell
Lauren Vinnell
PhD Student
School of Psychology
Profile
I completed my undergraduate degree and Masters at Victoria University of Wellington (2011 to 2016), shifting towards a focus on judgments and behaviours around natural hazards. My PhD explores the reasons why people do and do not prepare for the well-known and high-risk natural hazards we face in Wellington. This knowledge will then be used to test ways to reduce the barriers that stop people from preparing using an intervention based on behaviour change research in the area of social psychology. My work is part of the Resilience to Nature's Challenges National Science Challenge, which involves collaboration across institutions and sectors.
Qualifications
BA, BSC (Hons), MSc
Research Interests
Social influence, behaviour change, and disaster preparation
Publications
Vinnell, L. J., Milfont, T. L., & McClure, J. (2018). Do social norms affect support for earthquake strengthening legislation? Comparing the effects of descriptive and injunctive norms. Environment and Behavior. Advanced online publication. doi: 10.1177/0013916517752435
Vinnell, L. J., McClure, J., & Milfont, T. L. (2017). Do framing messages increase support for earthquake legislation? Disaster Prevention and Management: An International Journal, 26(1), 28-40. doi: 10.1108/DPM-06-2016-0127
PhD Topic
Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to understand and increase natural hazard preparedness.
Supervisors:

Taciano L Milfont
Taciano L Milfont
Associate Professor
School of Psychology

John McClure
John McClure
Emeritus Professor
School of Psychology