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Encouraging Students’ Pro-environmental Behaviour: Examining the Interplay Between Student Characteristics and the Situational Strength of Schools

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  • Piety Runhaar
  • Klaartje Wagenaar
  • Renate Wesselink
  • Hens Runhaar

Abstract

The goal of this article is to understand how the pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) of secondary school students can be encouraged. In an exploratory study, we examine to what extent pro-environmental cues—that is, ‘situational strength’ (Mischel, Psychological Review, 80(4):252, 1973)—were present in schools and whether students in ‘stronger’ situations reported higher levels of PEB than students in ‘weaker’ ones. Moreover, we examined relationships between student characteristics—gender, perceived behavioural control (PBC), pro-environmental attitudes (PEA) and intentions (Fishbein & Ajzen, Belief, attitudes, intention, and behavior. An introduction to theory and research . Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1975)—and their PEB. A sequential mixed method was used, utilizing data from three Dutch secondary schools. Survey data covering 179 students showed relationships among students’ gender, PEA and intentions, and PEB. Qualitative data—derived from semi-structured interviews with staff members, structured assignments for students and observations—showed differences in situational strength between the schools. Moreover, the data suggest an interplay between student characteristics and situational strength in affecting PEB.

Suggested Citation

  • Piety Runhaar & Klaartje Wagenaar & Renate Wesselink & Hens Runhaar, 2019. "Encouraging Students’ Pro-environmental Behaviour: Examining the Interplay Between Student Characteristics and the Situational Strength of Schools," Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, , vol. 13(1), pages 45-66, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jousus:v:13:y:2019:i:1:p:45-66
    DOI: 10.1177/0973408219840544
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Handgraaf, Michel J.J. & Van Lidth de Jeude, Margriet A. & Appelt, Kirstin C., 2013. "Public praise vs. private pay: Effects of rewards on energy conservation in the workplace," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 86-92.
    2. Axel Franzen, 2003. "Environmental Attitudes in International Comparison: An Analysis of the ISSP Surveys 1993 and 2000," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(2), pages 297-308, June.
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    1. Sadia Akhtar & Kashif Ullah Khan & Fouzia Atlas & Muhammad Irfan, 2022. "Stimulating student’s pro-environmental behavior in higher education institutions: an ability–motivation–opportunity perspective," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 4128-4149, March.
    2. Erin Miller Hamilton & Apoorva Rane, 2022. "Speaking Their Language: Does Environmental Signage Align to Personal Dimensions of Environmentally Responsible Behavior in Undergraduate Residence Halls?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Balińska, Agata & Gabryjończyk, Piotr & Zawadka, Jan, 2020. "Pro-Ecological Behavior Of Students Of The Wuls-Sggw Faculty Of Economics," Roczniki (Annals), Polish Association of Agricultural Economists and Agribusiness - Stowarzyszenie Ekonomistow Rolnictwa e Agrobiznesu (SERiA), vol. 2020(4).
    4. Deddy Barnabas Lasfeto & Yohan A. A. Lada & Brian D. Beitzel & Eka Budhi Santosa, 2023. "Sightseers’ Responsible Behavior Toward the Environment at Rural Destinations: The Moderating Role of Levels of Education," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, August.

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