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Theoretical Explanatory Frameworks for Sustainable Behavior

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Exploring Sustainable Behavior Structure in Higher Education

Part of the book series: Management and Industrial Engineering ((MINEN))

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Abstract

In the previous chapter, the discussion focuses on the definition of sustainable behavior, underlying principles, and the background of education for sustainable development (ESD). This chapter discusses the cognitive theory which models sustainable behavior under the information-processing approach. Additionally, in this section, the most widely known social-psychology models for explaining attitudes which promote the study of sustainable behavior and the factors associated with them are shown. This provides conceptual frameworks which identify the factors explaining sustainable behavior (specifically in situations in which social dilemmas exist, as is the case for many environmental problems and their economic, social, and cultural contexts as indicated in ESD).

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Notes

  1. 1.

    According to Rokeach (1973), a belief is a simple proposition, conscious or not, which may be inferred from what a person says or does, and which may be preceded by the words “I believe that.” Any belief consists of three parts: cognitive (knowledge), affective (feeling), and conative (action). The three main categories of belief are as follows: descriptive or existential (I believe that the sun rises in the east), evaluative (I believe that trees are beautiful), and prescriptive or exhortative (I believe that trees must be respected). Beliefs are formed during childhood. The set of beliefs that an individual has regarding the surrounding socio-physical reality is called a belief system.

  2. 2.

    An attitude is a smaller set of related beliefs. It is also a comprehensive, relatively enduring belief regarding an object or situation which predisposes the person to respond in a certain way to that object or situation (Caduto 1995).

  3. 3.

    Values are forged from sets of interrelated attitudes. Values are enduring beliefs about a certain behavior or ideal way of life which is personally or socially preferable to an alternative behavior or way of life (Caduto 1995).

  4. 4.

    NEP states that human beings are part of natural world and subject to the same rules which govern nature, such as the interdependence of species (Dunlap and van Liere 1978; Dunlap et al. 2000).

  5. 5.

    The locus of control represents an individual’s perception of whether he/she has the skills to provoke changes through his/her own behavior. External locus of control refers to concepts based on the belief of some individuals do not intend to provoke change, because they attribute change to randomness or other powerful forces (God, government, and father). In the internal locus of control, on the other hand, individuals believe that their activities will likely have an impact.

  6. 6.

    The Tragedy of the Commons describes conflicts between individual and group interest through an example of a common pasture shared by the local community with free access and no restrictions. Every individual realizes that his interest is best served by bringing as many cattle as possible to the pasture although the fodder is limited and it is obvious that if everyone does so, the common goods will be completely exhausted.

  7. 7.

    The Voter’s Paradox describes conflicts between individual and group interest in situations where, for instance, a person votes or volunteers in situations where collective action is involved, and people really cooperate, but they do (so) by self-interest.

  8. 8.

    The Prisoner’s Dilemma describes a model of cooperation between two or more individuals (or corporations, or countries) in ordinary life in which, in many cases, it would be personally worthwhile for each individual to not cooperate with the others (better to desert).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Energy, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico, Mexico

    Margarita Juárez-Nájera

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  1. Margarita Juárez-Nájera
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Correspondence to Margarita Juárez-Nájera .

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Juárez-Nájera, M. (2015). Theoretical Explanatory Frameworks for Sustainable Behavior. In: Exploring Sustainable Behavior Structure in Higher Education. Management and Industrial Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19393-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-19393-9_2

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