Work

The role of attitude toward nature in learning about environmental issues

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Attitude toward nature and environmental attitude are two distinct propensities that both further learning about the environment. The present study builds upon prior research by investigating the role of attitude toward nature in learning about environmental issues. In a sample of 1,486 university, middle and high school students (Mage = 15.25, SD = 3.2), we first calibrated a pool of items expressing attitude toward nature. We found differences in how adolescents expressed their appreciation for nature at different ages. It is essential to consider these differences to accurately ascertain adolescents’ attitudes toward nature. We then conducted a mediation test. Whereas attitude toward nature determined the levels of knowledge students gained and retained, environmental attitude fully mediated the environmental knowledge subsequently demonstrated by the students. Our research suggests that researchers and educators may benefit from taking an experiential approach to learning about sustainable development by promoting appreciation for nature.

Source: Frontiers in Psychology

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1471026

Authors: Tessa-Marie Baierl, Florian G. Kaiser, Franz X. Bogner

Institutions: University of Bayreuth, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, University of Arizona

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Education and Sustainability

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,295