Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Environmental perspectives of pupils: the development of an attitude and behaviour scale

  • Papers
  • Published:
Environmentalist Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The object of this study was to construct a measurement instrument to assess two different environmental world views of adolescents and, additionally, to address the adolescents' verbal commitment and actual behaviour. Using a multiple-choice questionnaire the instrument was designed to identify and measure the existing factors that underlie concern for ecological/environmental problems and behaviour towards environment/nature in the age group of 10 to 16 year old pupils. Within the traditional tripartite model covering cognitive, affective and behavioural components the study selected items that made up the majority of corresponding subscales from various previous studies. Using factor analysis the configuration of the scale's dimensionality was stated. Based on the responses of approximately 2000 Bavarian pupils, subscales were extracted via factor analysis and, subsequently, addressed to different segments of environmental concern ranging from attitudes to verbal commitment and actual behaviour. Correlation coefficients and the standardized Cronbach's α-values were also surveyed. Additionally, a Kruskal-Wallis analysis was applied in order to locate the subscales' influences on sociodemographic variables such as gender and age and self-reported variables such as the pleasure of being a pupil and school performance. The further purpose of the present study is to provide the basis for follow-up comparisons of preferences and values in pupils within other countries.

Résumé

Le but de la présente étude est la réalisation d'un système de mesure pour l'évaluation de différents niveaux de conscience par rapport à la nature et à la protection de l'environnement, ainsi que des comportements actuels ou envisagés. Le système de mesure s'appuie sur un questionnaire à choix multiples pour évaluer les différents facteurs qui déterminent les niveaux de conscience et les comportements correspondants chez les adolescents de 10 à 16 ans. Dans le cadre du modèle à trois niveaux, qui comprend des composantes cognitives, affectives et comportementales, un grand nombre d'items, en partie issus d'études antérieures, ont été sélectionnés pour former les sous-catégories nécessaires. La configuration des catégories a été garantie par une analyse factorielle.

Sur la base des réponses d'environ 2000 élèves, des sous-catégories ont été définies, qui vont depuis les positions de départ jusqu'au comportement actuel. En outre, nous avons défini les coefficients de corrélation, ainsi que les valuers Cronback-Alpha, et une analyse des régressions a été effectuée, qui prend en compte les influences, par exemple, des variables sociodémographiques comme le sexe et l'âge, des résultats scolaires ou de la manière dont l'école est perçue par chacun.

La présente étude représente la base aussi bien pour des investigations comparatives entre pays, que pour l'évaluation de l'influence d'un enseignement extra-scolaire adopté.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Albrecht, D., Bultena, G., Hoiberg, E. and Novak, P. (1982) The new environmental paradigm scale.Journal of Environmental Education 13(3), 39–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arbuthnot, J. and Lingg, S. (1975) A comparison of French and American environmental behaviors, knowledge and attitudes.International Journal of Psychology 10, 275–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arcury, T. and Christinson, E.H. (1990) Environmental world in response to environmental problems.Environment and Behaviour 22, 387–407.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arcury, T.A. and Johnson, T.P. (1987) Public environmental knowledge: a statewide survey.Journal of Environmental Education 18, 31–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, J.B. and Impara, J.C. (1990) The effects of order of test administration on environmental attitudes.Journal of Environmental Education 21(3), 37–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Axelrod, L.J. and Lehman, D.R. (1993) Responding to environmental concerns.Journal of Environmental Psychology 13, 149–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baur, W. (1985)Zur Veränderung von Einstellung durch Unterricht. Dissertation, Weingarten.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blaikie, W.H. (1992) The nature and origins of ecological world views: an Australian study.Social Science Quarterly 73(1), 144–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, A. (1987) Student's knowledge and beliefs concerning environmental issues in four countries.Journal of Environmental Education 18(3), 31–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borden, R.E. and Schettino, A.P. (1978) Determinants of environmental responsible behavior.Journal of Environmental Education 18(3), 7–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borg, I., Müller, M. and Stauenbiel, T. (1990) Ein empirischer Vergleich von fünf Standardverfahren zur eindimensionalen Skalierung.Archives of Psychology 142, 25–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Braun, A. (1983)Umwelterziehung zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. Frankfurt: Haag and Herchen-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunting, T.E. and Cousins, L.R. (1983) Development and application of the ‘children's environmental response inventory’.Journal of Environmental Education 15(1), 5–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buttel, F.H. (1987) New directions in environmental sociology.Annual Review of Sociology 13, 465–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catton, W.R. and Dunlap, R.E. (1978) Environmental sociology: a new paradigm.American Sociologist 13, 41–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Catton, W.R. and Dunlap, R.E. (1980) A new ecological paradigm for post-exurbant sociology.American Journal of Behavior Science 24, 15–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clauss, G. and Ebner, H. (1992)Statistik für Soziologen, Pädagogen, Psychologen und Mediziner. (7th edn) Frankfurt: Deutsch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronbach, L.J. (1951) Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests.Psychometrika 16, 297–334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronbach, L.J. (1960)Essentials of Psychological Testing. New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Croog, S.H., Levine, S., Marcia, A.T., Brown, B., Bulpitt, C.J., Jenkins, C.D., Klerman, G. and Williams, G.H. (1986) The effects of antihypertensive therapy on the quality of life.New England Journal of Medicine 314(26), 1657–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diekmann, A. and Preissendoerfer, P. (1992) Persönliches Umweltverhalten.Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie 44, 226–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diekmann, A. and Preissendoerfer, P. (1993) Zur Anwendung der Theorie rationalen Handelns in der Umweltforschung.Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie 45, 125–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, R.E. (1980) Paradigmatic change in social science: from human exemptions to an ecological paradigm.American Journal of Behavior Science 24, 5–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, R.E. and Van Liere, K.D. (1978) The ‘new environmental paradigm’.Journal of Environmental Education 9(4), 10–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, R.E., Van Liere, K.D. and Dillman, D.A. (1979) Evidence of decline in public concern with environmental quality: a reply.Rural Sociology 44(1), 204–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunlap, R.E., Gale, R.P. and Rutherford, B.M. (1983) Concern for environmental rights among college students.American Journal of Economics and Sociology 32, 45–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eagly, A.H. and Chaiken, S. (1993)The Psychology of Attitudes. Orlando: HBJ Publ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisenberg, N. and Miller, P. (1987) The relation of empathy to prosocial and related behaviors.Psychological Bulletin 101, 91–199.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fazio, R.H. and Zanna, M.P. (1978) Attitudinal qualities relating to the strength of the attitude-behaviour relationship.Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 14, 398–408.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fietkau, H.J. and Kessel, H. (1981)Umweltlernen. Königstein: Hain-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishbein, M. and Ajzen, I. (1974)Belief, Attitude, Intention and Behavior. An Introduction to Theory and Research. Reading MA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Füller, F. (1992) Umwelterziehung. Umweltprobleme und ökologisches Handeln. In: G. Bolscho and J. Seybold (eds),Umwelterziehung. Kiel: IPN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gallup, G. and Newport, F. (1990) Americans strongly in tune with purpose of Earth Day (1990)Gallup Poll 54, 1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geller, J.M. and Lasley, P. (1985) The new environmental paradigm scale: a re-examination.Journal of Environmental Education 17, 9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gigliotti, L.M. (1990) Environmental education: what went wrong? What can be done?Journal of Environmental Education 22, 9–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gigliotti, L.M. (1992) Environmental attitudes: 20 years of change?Journal of Environmental Education 24, 15–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, M.R. (1990) The relationship between children's experiences with vegetation on school grounds and their environmental attitudes.Journal of Environmental Education 21(2), 9–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heberlein, T. (1981) Environmental attitudes.Zeitschrift für Umweltforschung 2, 241–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hines, J.M., Hungerford, H.R. and Tomera, A.N. (1987) Analysis and synthesis of research on responsible environmental behavior: a meta-analysis.Journal of Environmental Education 18, 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofman, M. (1984) Interaction of affect and cognition in empathy. In: C.E. Izard, J. Kagan and R.B. Zajnoc (eds),Emotions, cognition and behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, S. (1979) A simple sequentially rejective multiple test procedure.Scandinavian Journal of Statistics 6, 65–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtappels, H.G., Hugo, H.R. and Malinowski, P. (1990) Wie umweltbewußt sind Schüler?Deutsche Schule 81, 224–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Horvart, R.E. and Voelker, A.M. (1976) Using a Likert-scale to measure ‘environmental responsibility’.Journal of Environmental Education 8, 36–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huston, A.C. (1987) Sextyping. In P.H. Mussen (ed.),Handbook for Child Psychology Vol. 4, pp. 387–468. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, D.A. and Judd, C.M. (1986) Consequences of violating the independence assumption in analysis of variance.Psychological Bulletin 99, 422–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleinbaum, D.G., Kupper, L.L. and Mueller, K.E. (1988)Applied Regression Analysis and Other Multivariate Methods. (2nd edn). Belmont: Duxbury Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kley, J. and Fietkau, H.J. (1979) Verhaltenswirksame Variablen des Umweltbewußtseins.Psychologie and Praxis 23 13–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koepke, D. and Flay, B.R. (1989)Levels of analysis. In M.T. Braverman (ed.),Evaluating health promotion programs. pp. 75–87. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koslowsky, M., Kluger, A.N. and Yinon, Y. (1988) Predicting behavior: Combining intention with investment.Journal of Environmental Education 73(1), 102–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Langeheine, R. and Lehmann, J. (1986)Die Bedeutung der Erziehung für das Umweltbewußtsein. Kiel: IPN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leeming, F.C., Dwyer, W.O., Porter, B.E. and Cobern, M.K. (1993) Outcome research in environmental education.Journal of Environmental Education 24(4), 8–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmacher, W. (1987)Verlaufskurven und Crossover. Berlin: Springer-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann, J. (1993) Umwelterziehung, umweltprobleme und ökologisches handeln. in G. Bolscho and J. Seybold (eds),Umwelterziehung. Bildung und perspektiven. pp. 234–242. Kiel: IPN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leopold, A. (1949)A Sand County Almanac. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Likert, R.A. (1932) A technique for a measurement of attitudes.Archives of Psychology 140, 5–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • McStay, J. and Dunlap, R.E. (1983) Male-Female differences in concern for environmental quality.International Journal of Woman's Studies 6, 291–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maloney, M. and Ward, M. (1973) Ecology: let's hear from the people.American Psychologist 28, 583–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohai, P. and Twight, B.W. (1987) Age and environmentalism. Social Science Quarterly68(4), 168–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, D.J. (1986)Measuring Social Attitudes. New York: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milbrath, L. (1984)Environmentalists: Vanguard for a New Society. Albany, NY: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, D.M., Rooney, B.L., Hannan, P.J., Peterson, A.V., Ary, D.V., Biglan, A., Botvin, G.J., Evans, R.I., Flay, B.R., Futterman, R., Getz, J.G., Marek, P.M., Orlandi, M., Pentz, M.A., Perry, C.L. and Schinke, S.P. (1994) Intraclass correlation among common measures of adolescent smoking: estimates, correlates, and applications in smoking prevention studies.American Journal of Epidemiology 140(11), 1038–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Musser, L.M. and Malkus, A.J. (1994) The children's attitudes toward the environment scale.Journal of Environmental Education 25, 22–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noe, F.P. and Snoe, R. (1989) The new environmental paradigm and future scale analysis.Journal of Environmental Education 21(4), 20–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norusis, M.J. (1993a)SPSS for Windows: Base System User's Guide. Chicago, IL.

  • Norusis, M.J. (1993b)SPSS for Windows: Professional Statistics. Chicago, IL.

  • Nunnally, J.C. (1978)Psychometric Theory. (2nd edn), New York: McGraw.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfligersdorffer, G. (1984) Empirische Untersuchung über Lerneffekte auf Biologie-Exkursionen. Dissertation, Salzburg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramsey, C.E. and Rickson, R.E. (1977) Environmental knowledge and attitudes.Journal of Environmental Education 8(6), 10–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rost, J. (1993)Das Verhältnis von Wissen und Handeln aus kognitionstheoretischer Sicht. In H. Häusler (ed.),Physikunterricht und Menschenbildung. pp. 141–53. Kiel: IPN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rost, J., EigenbrodtI, D., Davier, M. and Senkbeil, M. (1992) Ein Situationsfragebogen zur Erfassung von Bewältigungsstrategien beim Umgang mit bedrohlichen Informationen über die Umwelt. In G. Eulefeld (ed.),Empirische Studien im Bereich Umwelterziehung. pp. 247–59. Kiel, IPN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schahn, J. and Holzer, E. (1990) Konstruktion, Validierung und Anwendung von Skalen zur Erfassung des individuellen Umweltbewußtseins.Zeitschrift für Differentielle und Diagnostische Psychologie 11(3), 185–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherf, G. (1987) Zur Bedeutung pflanzlicher Formenkenntnisse für eine schützende Einstellung gegenüber Pflanzen und zur Methodik des formenkundlichen Unterrichts. Dissertation, LMU München.

  • Seligman, C. (1989) Environmental ethics.Journal of Social Issues 45, 169–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, R.Y. and Mahajan, H. (1986) Gender differences in policy preferences.Public Opinion Quarterly 50(1), 42–61.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith-Sebasto, N.J. (1992) The revised perceived environmental control measure: a review and analysis.Journal of Environmental Education 23(2), 24–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steger, M.A. and Witt, S.L. (1989) Gender differences in environmental orientations.Western Politics Quarterly 42(4), 627–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szagun, G. (1992) Children's understanding of the feeling experience and causes of sympathy.Journal of Child Psychology 33, 1183–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szagun, G. and Mesenholl, E. (1993) Environmental ethics: an empirical study of West German pupils.Journal of Environmental Education 25(1), 37–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teutloff, G. and Schubert, F. (1992) Begriffsforschung als Mittel zur Unterrichtsgestaltung. In H. Entrich and L. Staeck (eds),Sprache und verstehen. pp. 436–40 Alsbach: Leuchtturm-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thiel, W. (1981)Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Erziehung zu Naturverständnis und Umweltbewußtsein. Bonn: Kleine-Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorne, B. (1993)Gender Play: Girls and Boys in School. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tognacci, L.N., Weigel, R.H., Wideen, M.F. and Vernon, D.T. (1972) Environmental quality: how universal is public concern?Environment and Behaviour 4, 73–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Triandis, H.C. (1980) Values, attitudes and interpersonal behavior. In M.N. Page (ed.),Symposium on Motivation. Lincoln: NB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Urban, D. (1986) Was ist umweltbewußtsein? Exploration eines mehrdimensionalen einstellungskonstrukts.Zeitschrift für Soziologie 15(5), 363–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Liere, K.D. and Dunlap, R.E. (1980) The social bases of environmental concern: a review of hypotheses, explanations, and empirical evidence.Public Opinion Quarterly 44, 181–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Liere, K.D. and Dunlap, R.E. (1981) Environmental concern: does it make a difference how it's measured?Environment and Behaviour 16(6), 651–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weigel, R.H. and Weigel, J. (1978) Environmental concern: the development of a measure.Environment and Behaviour 11(1), 71–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wicker, A. (1969) Attitudes versus actions: the relationship of verbal and overt behavioral responses to attitude objects.Journal of Social Issues 25(4), 41–78.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für die Didaktik der Biologie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Barbarastr. 16/V, D-80797, München, Germany

    Franz X. Bogner & Manfred G. Wilhelm

Authors
  1. Franz X. Bogner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manfred G. Wilhelm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dr. Franz Bogner is the senior author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Manfred Wilhelm is based at the Institut für Medizinische Statistik, Technische Universität, Ismaninger Straße 22, D-81675 München, Germany.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bogner, F.X., Wilhelm, M.G. Environmental perspectives of pupils: the development of an attitude and behaviour scale. Environmentalist 16, 95–110 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01325101

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01325101

Keywords

Search

Navigation