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Changing environmental attitudes but not behaviors
after coursework and travel
M. Katrina Smith
Abstract
The participants were nine college students that took part in an interdisciplinary summer program of
study. Coursework included Environmental Psychology, the Culture and People of Ecuador (sociology),
and Flora and Fauna of the Galapagos Islands (biology). The highlight was travel to Ecuador and the
Galapagos Islands. This set of courses challenged students to examine the world through several lenses.
They were asked to make careful observations of the variety of plant and animal life in their travels, to
experience and better understand the culture and daily lives of the people, and to explore the
environmental challenges faced by people in these regions.
Figure 1. Percentage of participants that indicated they regularly complete specific
environmental actions
100
80
Before
After
Students reported high levels of awareness of conservation
and environmental challenges both before and after the
study program (Table 1, Figure 2). Participants increased
their levels of concern about the seriousness of the present
state of the environment; however, there was little change
in everyday actions (Figure 1). One simple task presented
during the environmental psychology class was to
encourage students to take reusable shopping bags to the
grocery store. Although students made a public
commitment to this behavioral change, they reported that
they were not successful in following through – even in the
short-term.
60
Figure 2. Percentage of participants that expressed agreement with various
environmental concerns
40
100
20
0
0
0%
Introduction
Conservation efforts often focus on making people
more aware of environmental threats. Governments
and corporations actively seek technological solutions
to environmental problems while media documents
the worsening conditions worldwide. The question is
whether these combined efforts are effective in getting
individuals to act. Environmental psychologists are in a
unique position to provide insight into what factors
motivate individuals to change everyday behaviors in
ways that benefit the conservational cause. The
present study was designed to provide such insight
following a unique educational opportunity.
Participants were students taking part in in intensive
summer study program. They offered feedback on
changes in their level of environmental awareness and
the changes they made in daily habits as a result of the
experience.
Findings
% of participants that agree
% of participants that do
Although media coverage promoting environmentally
friendly action abounds, environmental psychologists
have suggested that education alone may not be
sufficient to increase pro-environmental behaviors
(Koger & Winter, 2010; Abrahamse & Matthies, 2013).
The present study documented changes in attitudes
and behaviors among nine students that took part in
an intensive summer study program that included
international travel. Surveys, reflections, and
interviews consistently revealed that students grew
more aware of local and international environmental
challenges. Participants increased their level of
concern about the seriousness of the present state of
the environment; however, there was little change in
everyday actions. These findings seem to indicate that
effective environmental programs require more than
an education strategy. Even concerned and motivated
individuals are unlikely to take action without some
additional supports.
The educational strategy
Environmental Actions
The data
Table 1. Attitudes about environmental issues before and after the summer program
Before
After
How often do you consider the environment
0% frequently
11% often
89% sometimes
11% frequently
11% often
78% sometimes
Severity of the state of the environment
11% situation is dire
56% situation is dire
89% situation is reversible 44% situation is reversible
Importance of conservation
33% very important
67% important
11% very important
78% important
11% not very important
Importance of the environment
67% very important
33% important
78% very important
22% important
89% society as a whole
11% corporations
78% society as a whole
22% corporations
Who is responsible
After
60
40
20
0
0
Pro-environmental attitudes and actions were assessed using several methodologies:
• Surveys – completed before and after the academic term
• Ecological footprints – completed before and after the academic term
• Interviews – conducted after the trip
• Reflection writings - students were asked to directly contrast conservation efforts in rural
and urban areas in the southern United States with those in similarly sized cities in
Ecuador and tourist destination known for its promotion of eco-tourism
Attitudes
80
Before
Environmental Concerns
Discussion
Almost all students saw environmental issues as a societal
level problem as opposed to one solved on the level of the
individual. Findings are consistent with others that have
suggested perceived behavioral control is important to
changing environmental behaviors (Cordano & Frieze, 2000;
Green-Demers, Pelletier, & Menard, 1997; Largo-Wight,
Johnston, & Wight, 2013). Applied to community level
interventions, these findings would suggest that affecting
change in well established habits will require more than
simply educating the public.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Reinhardt University and the department of
psychology for their support and funding for this research.
For questions, please contact : [email protected]