Storytelling for Behavior Change: Use of Folktales for Promoting Sustainable Behaviors

Abstract

Our Earth has been entangled in different adverse effects resulting from the excessive human interference into the territory of nature. The habit of extracting and consuming indiscriminately is moving them to a situation, where their own future generation would not be able receive benefits of the natural resources. It has also been recognized that human action is perhaps the most significant contributor to this. And therefore, a proper equilibrium, i.e., sustainable development, could only be achieved by bringing about a change in human behavior in general. We explore the possibility of using indigenous knowledge for encouraging sustainable behaviors. We propose a model for behavior change through storytelling by using folktales. We argue that folktales serve three functions – epistemic, motivational, and ethical – which make them potent tools for promoting sustainable behavior. We conclude by pointing out limitations and suggestion for future research.