What Is the Relationship between Environmental Experiences and New Ecological Paradigm Scale of Purdue University Undergraduate Students?
Abstract
After United Nation recognized the necessity for environmental improvement, environmental education (EE) was promoted in schools. Previous studies have found that EE had both positive and negative influences on students’ environmental orientation. There were multiple studies that found relationships with environmental behaviors, environmental intentions, environmental activities and environmental orientation. However, not many studies have looked at relationship in overall environmental experiences (EExp) and environmental orientation. This study measured the relationships between Purdue University undergraduate students EExp and environmental orientation using two instruments. A survey was developed to measure students’ EExp and NEP scale was used to measure students’ environmental orientation. A total of 201 students from five colleges at Purdue University participated in this survey. The results revealed that EA–NEP were stronger than EE–NEP relationship. Students in the College of Science (CS) had strongest correlation in EE–NEP, and EA–NEP relationships than other colleges. Non-Indiana students had stronger correlation in EE–NEP, EAct–NEP, and EA–NEP relationship than Indiana students. Also, female students had stronger EE–NEP, and EA–NEP relationship than male students. Indiana education systems should be studied further to determine a rationale for EE–NEP relationship. The University of Purdue should also study students in colleges other than CS regarding their low correlation in Exp and NEP. With high EA–NEP relationship in Purdue University, more EA opportunities should be included in EE to increase pro-environmental orientation.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Harbor, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Environmental education|Science education|Higher education
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