Login Register Cart 0
Generic placeholder image

Current Social Sciences

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 2772-316X
ISSN (Online): 2772-3178

Back
Journal Home About Journal Editorial Board Current Issue Volumes/Issues
Subscribe
Research Article

Pro-Environmental Behaviors in Higher Education: A Contextualized Planned Behavior Perspective

Author(s): Bernard M. Kitheka*

Volume 2, 2024

Published on: 29 April, 2024

Article ID: e290424229498 Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/012772316X290978240418105354

Price: $65

Open Access Journals Promotions 2
Abstract

Background: Institutions of higher learning are critical avenues for addressing issues pertaining to climate stability and environmental sustainability. College students, as future leaders, can play a crucial role in solving the planet’s most pressing problems if they have the right information and a behavioral orientation that promotes positive environmental outcomes.

Objectives: The current study evaluates pro-environmental behaviors potentially moderated by knowledge, attitudes, motivations, and contextual factors for college students. It also evaluates what categories of environmentally friendly behaviors students elect to engage in.

Methods: Quantitative data were collected using an online questionnaire survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software.

Results: Findings show a weaker influence by most stand-alone factors but a stronger cumulative effect when all the variables are considered together. Data also indicates student’s inclinations to certain environment-friendly behaviors more than others.

Conclusion: Study findings could be used to change university sustainability policies and curricula to enhance environmental consciousness and inspire participation in green initiatives among students. The study contributes to existing literature on sustainability in higher education institutions in the United States.

Keywords: Pro-environmental behavior, theory of planned behavior, motivation, sustainability, contextual factors, HEI.

[1]
Nagel, M. Constructing apathy: How environmentalism and environmental education may be fostering “learned hopelessness” in children. Australian. J. Environ. Educ., 2005, 21, 71-80.
[2]
Ranney, M.A.; Velautham, L. Climate change cognition and education: Given no silver bullet for denial, diverse information-hunks increase global warming acceptance. Curr. Opin. Behav. Sci., 2021, 42, 139-146.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cobeha.2021.08.001]
[3]
Wong, C.A.; Afandi, S.H.; Ramachandran, S.; Kunasekaran, P.; Chan, J.K. Conceptualizing environmental literacy and factors affecting pro-environmental behavior. Intl. J. Business and Society, 2018, 19(S1), 128-139.
[4]
Corraliza, J.A.; Berenguer, J. Environmental values, beliefs, and actions: A situational approach. Environ. Behav., 2000, 32(6), 832-848.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00139160021972829]
[5]
Gray, R.; Bebbington, J.; McPhail, K. Teaching ethics in accounting and the ethics of accounting teaching: Educating for immorality and a possible case for social and environmental accounting education. Account. Educ., 1994, 3(1), 51-75.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09639289400000005]
[6]
Chakraborty, A.; Singh, M.P.; Roy, M. A study of goal frames shaping pro-environmental behaviour in university students. Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ., 2017, 18(7), 1291-1310.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-10-2016-0185]
[7]
Zsóka, Á.; Szerényi, Z.M.; Széchy, A.; Kocsis, T. Greening due to environmental education? Environmental knowledge, attitudes, consumer behavior and everyday pro-environmental activities of Hungarian high school and university students. J. Clean. Prod., 2013, 48, 126-138.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.11.030]
[8]
Lozano, R. Incorporation and institutionalization of SD into universities: breaking through barriers to change. J. Clean. Prod., 2006, 14(9-11), 787-796.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.010]
[9]
Molina, V.M.A.; Sáinz, F.A.; Olaizola, I.J. Environmental knowledge and other variables affecting pro-environmental behaviour: Comparison of university students from emerging and advanced countries. J. Clean. Prod., 2013, 61, 130-138.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2013.05.015]
[10]
Onokala, U.; Banwo, A.O.; Okeowo, F.O. Predictors of pro-environmental behavior: A comparison of university students in the United States and China. J. Manag. Sustain., 2018, 8(1), 127.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jms.v8n1p127]
[11]
Galang, A.P. Environmental education for sustainability in higher education institutions in the Philippines. Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ., 2010, 11(2), 173-183.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/14676371011031892]
[12]
Correia, E.; Sousa, S.; Viseu, C.; Leite, J. Using the theory of planned behavior to understand the students’ pro-environmental behavior: A case-study in a Portuguese HEI. Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ., 2022, 23(5), 1070-1089.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-05-2021-0201]
[13]
Dan, H. Culturally green–an investigation into the cultural determinants of environmental performance. Scientiae Oeconomia., 2019, 2(7), 107-126.
[14]
Herremans, I.; Allwright, D.E. Environmental management systems at North American universities. Int. J. Sustain. High. Educ., 2000, 1(2), 168-181.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/1467630010371902]
[15]
Shriberg, MP Sustainability in United States higher education: Organizational factors influencing campus environmental performance and leadership Dissertations and Theses; University of Michigan, 2002.
[16]
Ajzen, I. The theory of planned behavior. In: Organizational behavior and decision processes; Elsevier, 1991; pp. 93-114.
[17]
Brundtland, G.H. Our common future-Call for action. Environ. Conserv., 1987, 14(4), 291-294.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892900016805]
[18]
De Groot, J.; Steg, L. General beliefs, and the theory of planned behavior: The role of environmental concerns in the TPB. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol., 2007, 37(8), 1817-1836.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2007.00239.x]
[19]
Steg, L.; Vlek, C. Encouraging pro-environmental behaviour: An integrative review and research agenda. J. Environ. Psychol., 2009, 29(3), 309-317.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.10.004]
[20]
Goldman, D.; Ayalon, O.; Baum, D.; Haham, S. Major matters: Relationship between academic major and university students’ environmental literacy and citizenship as reflected in their voting decisions and environmental activism. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Educ., 2015, 10(5), 671-693.
[21]
Dono, J.; Webb, J.; Richardson, B. The relationship between environmental activism, pro-environmental behaviour and social identity. J. Environ. Psychol., 2010, 30(2), 178-186.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.11.006]
[22]
Krasny, M.E.; Delia, J. Natural area stewardship as part of campus sustainability. J. Clean. Prod., 2015, 106, 87-96.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2014.04.019]
[23]
Grønhøj, A.; Thøgersen, J. Action speaks louder than words: The effect of personal attitudes and family norms on adolescents’ pro-environmental behaviour. J. Econ. Psychol., 2012, 33(1), 292-302.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2011.10.001]
[24]
Larson, L.R.; Stedman, R.C.; Cooper, C.B.; Decker, D.J. Understanding the multi-dimensional structure of pro-environmental behavior. J. Environ. Psychol., 2015, 43, 112-124.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2015.06.004]
[25]
Stoner, L.; Perry, L.; Wadsworth, D.; Gleason, M.; Tarrant, M.A.; Page, R.; Stoner, K.R. Fostering global citizenship in higher education: Development of an international course in global health. In: Public Health and Welfare: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications; IGI Global, 2017; pp. 826-847.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-1674-3.ch039]
[26]
Derckx, J.M. 2015.
[27]
Yoon, J.I.; Lee, K.J.; Larson, L.R. Place attachment mediates links between pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors among visitors to Mt. Bukhan National Park, South Korea. Front. Psychol., 2024, 15, 1338650.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1338650] [PMID: 38414882]
[28]
Clayton, S.; Myers, G. Conservation psychology: Understanding and promoting human care for nature; John Wiley & Sons, 2015.
[29]
Kollmuss, A.; Agyeman, J. Mind the Gap: Why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior? Environ. Educ. Res., 2002, 8(3), 239-260.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504620220145401]
[30]
Runhaar, P.; Wagenaar, K.; Wesselink, R.; Runhaar, H. Encouraging students’ pro-environmental behavior: Examining the interplay between student characteristics and the situational strength of schools. J. Educ. Sustain. Dev., 2019, 13(1), 45-66.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0973408219840544]
[31]
Vining, J.; Ebreo, A. Emerging theoretical and methodological perspectives on conservation behavior. In: New Handbook of Environmental Psychology; Wiley: New York, 2002; pp. 541-558.
[32]
Gifford, R.; Nilsson, A. Personal and social factors that influence pro-environmental concern and behaviour: A review. Int. J. Psychol., 2014, 49(3), n/a..
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12034] [PMID: 24821503]
[33]
Utman, C.H. Performance effects of motivational state: A meta-analysis. Pers. Soc. Psychol. Rev., 1997, 1(2), 170-182.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1207/s15327957pspr0102_4] [PMID: 15647124]
[34]
Csikszentmihalyi, M. If we are so rich, why aren’t we happy? Am. Psychol., 1999, 54(10), 821-827.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.10.821]
[35]
Ryan, R.M.; Deci, E.L. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. Am. Psychol., 2000, 55(1), 68-78.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68] [PMID: 11392867]
[36]
Lindenberg, S. Intrinsic motivation in a new light. Kyklos, 2001, 54(2-3), 317-342.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-6435.00156]
[37]
Gatersleben, B. Affective and symbolic aspects of car use. In: Threats from car traffic to the quality of urban life: Problems, Causes and Solutions; Garling, T.; Steg, L., Eds.; Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2007; pp. 219-233.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/9780080481449-012]
[38]
Steg, L. Car use: Lust and must. Instrumental, symbolic and affective motives for car use. Transp. Res. Part A Policy Pract., 2005, 39(2-3), 147-162.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tra.2004.07.001]
[39]
Jones, H.E.; Jones, H.C. Cognitive dissonance theory after 50 years of development. Z. Soz. psychol., 2007, 38(1), 7-16.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/0044-3514.38.1.7]
[40]
Thøgersen, J. How may consumer policy empower consumers for sustainable lifestyles? J. Consum. Policy, 2005, 28(2), 143-177.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10603-005-2982-8]
[41]
van Raaij, W.F. Stages of behavioral change: Motivation, ability, and opportunity. In: Marketing for sustainability towards transactional policy-making; Bartels, G.C.; Nelissen, W., Eds.; IOS Press,, 2002; pp. 321-333.
[42]
Diepen, A.; Voogd, H. Sustainability and planning: Does urban form matter? Int. J. Sustain. Dev., 2001, 4(1), 59-74.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJSD.2001.001546]
[43]
Maxwell, J.A. Designing a qualitative study. In: The SAGE Handbook of Applied Social Research Methods, 2nd ed; SAGE Publications, Inc., 2008; pp. 214-253.
[44]
Palinkas, L.A.; Horwitz, S.M.; Green, C.A.; Wisdom, J.P.; Duan, N.; Hoagwood, K. Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Adm. Policy Ment. Health, 2015, 42(5), 533-544.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y] [PMID: 24193818]
[45]
Buuren, S.; Oudshoorn, G.K. mice: Multivariate imputation by chained equations in R. J. Stat. Softw., 2011, 45(3), 1-67.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.18637/jss.v045.i03]
[46]
Kolenikov, S.; Bollen, K.A. Testing negative error variances: Is a Heywood case a symptom of misspecification? Sociol. Methods Res., 2012, 41(1), 124-167.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0049124112442138]
[47]
Abowitz, D.A.; Toole, T.M. Mixed method research: Fundamental issues of design, validity, and reliability in construction research. J. Constr. Eng. Manage., 2010, 136(1), 108-116.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)CO.1943-7862.0000026]
[48]
Drost, E.A. Validity and reliability in social science research. Educ. Res. Perspect., 2011, 38(1), 105-123.
[49]
Salkind, N.J.; Frey, B.B. Statistics for people who (think they) hate statistics: Using Microsoft Excel; Sage Publications, 2021.
[50]
Schultz, P.W.; Gouveia, V.V.; Cameron, L.D.; Tankha, G.; Schmuck, P.; Franěk, M. Values and their relationship to environmental concern and conservation behavior. J. Cross Cult. Psychol., 2005, 36(4), 457-475.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0022022105275962]
[51]
Diklich, N.D. Climate change, protests, and youth movements: the personal side of policy.Climate change literacy and education: The science and perspectives from the global stage; Peterman, K.E.; Foy, G.P., Eds.; American Chemical Society, 2017, 1, pp. 91-104.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/bk-2017-1247.ch007]
[52]
Whitmarsh, L. Behavioural responses to climate change: Asymmetry of intentions and impacts. J. Environ. Psychol., 2009, 29(1), 13-23.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.05.003]
[53]
Ajzen, I. Nature and operation of attitudes: Annual review of psychology. Psych, 2001, 52(1), 27.
[54]
Vermeir, I.; Verbeke, W. Sustainable food consumption among young adults in Belgium: Theory of planned behaviour and the role of confidence and values. Ecol. Econ., 2008, 64(3), 542-553.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2007.03.007]
[55]
Pan, S.L.; Chou, J.; Morrison, A.; Huang, W.S.; Lin, M.C. Will the future be greener? The environmental behavioral intentions of university tourism students. Sustainability, 2018, 10(3), 634.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su10030634]
[56]
Liu, P.; Teng, M.; Han, C. How does environmental knowledge translate into pro-environmental behaviors?: The mediating role of environmental attitudes and behavioral intentions. Sci. Total Environ., 2020, 728, 138126.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138126] [PMID: 32361356]
[57]
Cordano, M.; Ellis, K.M.; Scherer, R.F. Natural capitalists: Increasing business students’ environmental sensitivity. J. Manage. Educ., 2003, 27(2), 144-157.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1052562903251417]
[58]
Oskamp, S. Applying social psychology to avoid ecological disaster. J. Soc. Issues, 1995, 51(4), 217-239.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4560.1995.tb01356.x]
[59]
Kormos, C.; Gifford, R. The validity of self-report measures of proenvironmental behavior: A meta-analytic review. J. Environ. Psychol., 2014, 40, 359-371.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2014.09.003]
[60]
Lange, F.; Dewitte, S. Measuring pro-environmental behavior: Review and recommendations. J. Environ. Psychol., 2019, 63, 92-100.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2019.04.009]
[61]
Kaiser, F.G.; Gutscher, H. The proposition of a general version of the theory of planned behavior: Predicting ecological behavior. J. Appl. Soc. Psychol., 2003, 33(3), 586-603.
[http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2003.tb01914.x]

Rights & Permissions Print Cite
Article Metrics
9
1
Wayfinder Image
Open Access Journals Promotions
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy