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Peer cultures as untapped resources for climate action

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2026

Dominik Deffner Open the ORCID record for Dominik Deffner [Opens in a new window] ,
Ira Elisa Herwig Open the ORCID record for Ira Elisa Herwig [Opens in a new window] ,
Vanessa Knobl Open the ORCID record for Vanessa Knobl [Opens in a new window] ,
Lydia Paulin Schidelko Open the ORCID record for Lydia Paulin Schidelko [Opens in a new window]  and
Jutta Mata Open the ORCID record for Jutta Mata [Opens in a new window]
Dominik Deffner*
Affiliation:
University of Marburg, Department of Psychology, Computational Modelling of Behaviour, Marburg, Germany dominik.deffner@uni-marburg.de Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany jutta.mata@uni-mannheim.de
Ira Elisa Herwig
Affiliation:
University of Mannheim, School of Social Sciences, Health Psychology, Mannheim, Germany herwig@uni-mannheim.de knobl@uni-mannheim.de
Vanessa Knobl
Affiliation:
University of Mannheim, School of Social Sciences, Health Psychology, Mannheim, Germany herwig@uni-mannheim.de knobl@uni-mannheim.de
Lydia Paulin Schidelko
Affiliation:
Max-Rubner-Institut (MRI), Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Institute of Physiology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Karlsruhe, Germany Lydia.Schidelko@mri.bund.de
Jutta Mata
Affiliation:
Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany jutta.mata@uni-mannheim.de University of Mannheim, School of Social Sciences, Health Psychology, Mannheim, Germany herwig@uni-mannheim.de knobl@uni-mannheim.de
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Children’s peer cultures hold the potential to drive cultural evolution, depending on demography and social transmission pathways. Understanding their interactions can inform cultural-evolutionary theory and promote adaptable cultural institutions. Here, we outline the next steps for theoretical models, clarifying the importance of peer cultures, and introduce sustainable behavior as a compelling test case for children- and youth-driven cultural change.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 49 , 2026 , e231
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press

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