Mindfulness, Pro-environmental Behavior, and Belief in Climate Change: The Mediating Role of Social Dominance

In recent years, mindfulness has been considered as a potential source of proenvironmental attitudes and behavior. Present research is aimed at consolidating and expanding previous knowledge by proposing that mindfulness is related to both proenvironmental behavior and belief in global climate change through social dominance orientation (SDO). A first study was conducted on undergraduate students ( n = 279) and found, as expected, that trait mindfulness was related to proenvironmental behavior through SDO. A second study using a known groups approach compared practitioners ( n = 44) and nonpractitioners ( n = 53) of Buddhist meditation, which is known to develop a mindful stance. Moreover, in Study 2, a measure of belief in global climate change was adopted as a further outcome. Again, trait mindfulness was related to both proenvironmental outcomes through SDO. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Download Full-text

Effects of information-based interventions and framing interventions on attitudes to climate change and mitigation behavior

Envigogika ◽

10.14712/18023061.563 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Jan Urban ◽

Tomáš Chabada ◽

Jan Skalík

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Attitude Change ◽

Global Climate Change ◽

Global Climate ◽

Attitudes And Behaviors ◽

Positive Attitudes ◽

Behavior Change Interventions ◽

Change Beliefs ◽

Types Of Information ◽

And Behavior

The aim of this paper is to provide the review of recently tested interventions that seek to change beliefs, attitudes and behaviors related to global climate change (GCC). The two major approaches, information-based interventions and framing interventions, are presented and discussed. Information-based interventions differ in the underlying models of attitude change, and also in the types of information they use to drive the attitude and behavior change. Interventions focusing on the communication of scientific consensus about the GCC and interventions providing information about the mechanism of GCC are capable to positively influence attitudes to GCC without having polarization effect. Framing interventions emphasize certain dimensions of an issue so that they interact with pre-existing schemata, values, and mental models, which people hold. Gain frames describing the gains that will occur from GCC mitigation are capable to increase concern about GCC as well as positive attitudes towards GCC mitigation.

Download Full-text

Exploring the Role of Future Perspective in Predicting Turkish University Students’ Beliefs About Global Climate Change

Discourse and Communication for Sustainable Education ◽

10.1515/dcse-2017-0003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 32-52

Author(s):

Deniz Ateş ◽

Gaye Teksöz ◽

Hamide Ertepınar

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

University Students ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Global Climate Change ◽

Time Perspective ◽

Global Climate ◽

Future Time Perspective ◽

Future Perspective ◽

Future Time ◽

Perceived Knowledge

AbstractRecent studies indicate that limited understanding about causes and its potential impacts of climate change and fault beliefs by people across different countries of the world including Turkey is a real challenge. Acceptance of climate change as a real threat, believing its existence, and knowing causes and consequences are very significant for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Therefore, exploring underlying factors shaping or affecting beliefs of people is needed for designing educational interventions for a change in individuals’ attitudes and behaviours. The main purpose of the present study was to explore how and to what extent future time perspective, perceived knowledge about global climate change, and environmental attitudes explain the university students’ beliefs about occurrence, causes and consequences of GCC. A quantitative research was conducted with the participation of one thousand, five hundred and eighty undergraduate students (n=1580) of METU and the data was gathered through Future Perspective Related Beliefs about Global Climate Change Scale. The study findings suggested that ecocentric attitude and perceived knowledge are mainly two influential factors for the undergraduate students’ beliefs about global climate change. Future time perspective’s contribution although low, was found to be significant in beliefs about GCC. The results of this study would shed light to evaluate and improve educational programs and curriculum in higher education, and can be a guide because Turkish literature does not serve any research that seek students’ future time perspective related to global climate change.

Download Full-text