The author provides an overview of the training process in economic psychology at St. Petersburg State University, revealing the history of development, current tasks and objectives of this branch of psychological science, outlining its further prospects and its place and role in national science and education. The questions raised include the effectiveness of training psychologists in this domain.

The author describes the results of empirical studies concerning the two sides of human-nature interaction. The first concerning nature’s “lack of rights”, and the second focuses on “lack of rights” of an individual as part of nature. The aim of this first study was to identify possible areas and mechanisms for implementing environmental policy in the field of ecological consciousness and the development of ecological culture. The second study was focused on the activity of consumers and their expectations with respect to the state as an institution that ensures environmental protection and control.