Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología

Disruption in education for sustainability

Abstract This paper presents and confirms the suspicion that there is a disruption in environmental education and environmentally responsible behaviors. Children are well aware of the behaviors and values considered environmentally friendly. However, there is a statistically significant decrease in the scores during adolescence. Scores recover in the College sample but they fail to reach children's scores. This has to do more with specific characteristics of adolescence and social context than with environmental education. A questionnaire built ad hoc was applied to a sample of 2037 persons between 9 and 35 years old. It should be noted, however, that the low scores of teenagers are also notably high in the range of the used scale.

Resumen El presente artículo plantea y confirma la sospecha de que existe una "disrupción" en la educación ambiental y la conducta ecológica responsable. Los niños conocen perfectamente cuáles son las conductas y valores considerados ambientalmente "correctos", sin embargo, en la adolescencia se produce un descenso estadísticamente significativo, que se recupera en la muestra universitaria, pero sin alcanzar las puntuaciones de los niños. Ello tiene más que ver con características propias de la adolescencia y el contexto social, que con la Educación Ambiental. Se aplicó un cuestionario ad hoc, a una muestra de 2037 personas entre 9 años y 35 años. Cabe destacar, sin embargo, que también las puntuaciones bajas de los adolescentes son notablemente elevadas en el rango de la escala utilizada.

Experiences of children in the rural environment: similarities and differences in children's education

Resumo Apenas recentemente o Brasil consolidou as bases legais para a introdução da problemática ambiental nos currículos de creches e pré-escolas. Decorre desta novidade a ausência de suficientes conhecimentos que fundamentem as práticas educativas nesse nível educacional. O artigo objetiva evidenciar vivências de crianças pré-escolares moradoras em área rural, com destaque para as formas como são significadas e circunscritas pelas características socioambientais dos contextos investigados. A abordagem metodológica foi inspirada na etnografia em contextos escolares. Além da observação das atividades coletivas na escola e de conversas e desenhos com as crianças, foram feitas entrevistas com familiares e equipe escolar. Distanciamentos e aproximações entre as significações destes sujeitos são explorados como forma de trazer as tensões necessárias para a compreensão da temática ambiental na educação infantil.

Abstract Only recently, Brazil has consolidated the legal bases to bring in the environmental issues on the curriculum of the early childhood education. From this newness, accrues an absence of knowledge to base the educational practices. This paper intends to evidence the experiences of preschool children living in rural areas, specially focusing the way that they are signified and circumstanced by socioenvironmental characteristics of the investigated contexts. The methodological approach was inspired by ethnography in school contexts. In addition to the observation of collective activities in school and conversations and drawings with children, interviews were conducted with family members and school staff. Distances and approaches between the meanings of these participants were explored as a way to bring the necessaries tensions to understand the environmental issues in early childhood education.

Virtues of humanity, justice and temperance and their relationship with sustainable behavior

Resumen Basado en la idea de que la conducta sustentable es un tipo de comportamiento virtuoso, el presente estudio explora la relación entre tres virtudes universales - Humanidad, Justicia, Moderación - y cuatro instancias de conducta sustentable - acciones altruistas, pro-ecológicas, frugales y equitativas - las cuales se consideran necesarias para alcanzar los ideales de un desarrollo sostenible. Se investigaron las respuestas que dieron cuatrocientas personas de la población general, en una ciudad del noroeste mexicano, a reactivos del Inventario de Virtudes y Fortalezas Psicológicas (VIA Survey, Peterson & Seligman, 2004) y a un instrumento que investigaba conductas sustentables. Los resultados se procesaron dentro de un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales, el cual produjo factores de primer orden para las tres virtudes y los cuatro tipos de comportamiento sustentables. A su vez, el grupo de virtudes generó un factor de segundo orden (virtudes) y eso mismo ocurrió para el de conductas sustentables (CS). La covariación entre el factor superior de virtudes y el de CS fue alta y significativa lo que parece indicar que las conductas prosociales y proambientales son de naturaleza virtuosa, por lo menos en lo concerniente a las tres virtudes aquí analizadas.

Abstract Based upon the idea that sustainable (prosocial, proenvironmental) actions are a kind of virtuous behavior, this study explores the relationship between three universal virtues -Humanity, Justice, Temperance - and four instances of sustainable behavior (SB) -altruistic, proecological, frugal and equitable actions - which are considered necessary for achieving the ideals of sustainable development. The responses of four hundred individuals, living in a northwestern Mexican city to the Inventory of Strengths and Virtues (VIA Survey, Peterson & Seligman, 2004), as well as an instrument assessing sustainable behavior, were processed within a structural equation model. This model produced first-order factors for the three analyzed virtues and the four types of sustainable behaviors. In turn, the group of virtues generated a second-order factor (Virtue) and the group of sustainable behaviors produced a secondorder factor (SB) as well. The covariation between the Virtue and SB factors was salient and significant, which seems to indicate that prosocial and proenvironmental behaviors have a virtuous nature, at least in regard to Humanity, Justice, and Temperance.

Proposal for measurement decisions on electrical energy consumption

Resumen El propósito de este trabajo es documentar las características psicométricas de un instrumento para evaluar la toma de decisiones sobre el consumo de energía eléctrica (TDCEE) a través de viñetas narrativas. El instrumento elaborado parte de supuesto de que la toma de decisiones en modelos descriptivos es un proceso dual razonado e intuitivo. Con base en los resultados del análisis factorial se identificaron dos dimensiones TDI y TDR con alfas moderadas y coeficiente de correlación bajo entre dichas dimensiones. Se concluye que esta escala cumple con criterios psicométricos aceptables para ser aplicada en población mexicana.

Abstract This paper aims to document the psychometric characteristics of an instrument to assess decision-making with regard to power consumption (TDCEE) by means of narrative vignettes. The instrument was developed based on the assumption that decision-making in descriptive models is a dual rational and intuitive process. Based on the results of factorial analysis, two dimensions were identified (TDI and TDR) with moderate alphas and low correlation coefficient between them. We conclude that this scale meets acceptable psychometric criteria to be applied in the Mexican population.

Value and care for power: implications for environmental education in Argentina and Colombia

Resumen La educación ambiental reconoce entre sus metas la promoción de factores individuales como las motivaciones y conocimientos para incentivar el cuidado del ambiente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los valores personales que guían una conducta pro-ambiental en dos países latinoamericanos. Mediante el uso de encuestas se evaluaron los valores biosféricos, altruistas, egoístas y hedonistas y las conductas de ahorro energético en Argentina (Estudio 1) y Colombia (Estudio 2). Los resultados apoyaron empíricamente la distinción teórica entre las cuatro orientaciones de valor. Fundamentalmente, indicaron que los valores biosféricos tienen un papel relevante en la explicación del comportamiento pro-ambiental en ambos países. Se discuten las implicancias de estos resultados para la educación ambiental formal e informal.

Abstract One of the objectives which underlies environmental education is the promotion of individual factors as motivations and knowledge to encourage environmental protection. The objective of this study was to determine the personal values which drive a pro-environmental behavior in two Latin American countries. By means of surveys, biospheric, altruistic, egoistic and hedonic values - as well as power saving behaviors - were evaluated in: Argentina (Study 1) and Colombia (Study 2). Results empirically supported the theoretical distinction between the four value orientations. Fundamentally, indicated that biospheric values play an important role in explaining pro-environmental behavior in both countries. We discuss implications of these results for formal and informal environmental education.

Collective participation and action in global movements for ecovillages and permaculture

Resumen En el presente artículo se analiza la participación y la acción colectiva en los movimientos globales de Ecoaldeas y Permacultura. Se presenta el marco teórico y el enfoque metodológico de la investigación doctoral "Marcos Culturales de Acción Colectiva en los Movimientos Globales de Ecoaldeas y Permacultura. Mediaciones, Comunidades y Redes en la Construcción Social del Paradigma Sostenible". Esta investigación se basa en una perspectiva psicosocial construccionista y metodológicamente integradora para el estudio de los marcos culturales sobre las que se basa la acción social transformadora. Estos resultados pretenden contribuir al debate, reflexión y análisis de las propuestas orientadas al desarrollo humano sostenible, como formas de acción que permiten la generación de respuestas a los complejos contextos de crisis socioambientales.

Abstract This paper analyzes participation and collective action in the global movements of Ecovillage and Permaculture. We present the theoretical and methodological approach of the doctoral research entitled "Collective Action Frameworks for Cultural Global Movements in Ecovillages and Permaculture. Mediations, Communities and Social Networks in Building Sustainable Paradigm". This research is based on a psychosocial perspective which integrates constructionist and methodology in order to study cultural frameworks based on transformative social action. These results seek to contribute to the discussion, reflection and analysis of proposals for sustainable human development as forms of action which will ultimately allow the generation of responses to complex socio-environmental crisis contexts.

Self-assessment and social perception of pro-environmental commitment: psychological and common sense measures

Resumo Investigações psicológicas sobre compromisso pró-ecológico (CPE) tipicamente utilizam escalas desenvolvidas para avaliar o quanto as pessoas se interessam pelo meio ambiente, porém, tais resultados nem sempre são bem compreendidos por profissionais de outras áreas de interface, como os educadores ambientais. Apresentamos dois estudos (N1 = 380; N2 = 205) cujo objetivo foi comparar a autopercepção com a percepção social do CPE. Os participantes realizaram avaliações: de seu próprio CPE, por meio de escalas psicológicas e autorrelatos sobre a prática de cuidado ambiental; e também do CPE de colegas que estudavam na mesma turma, frequentando as mesmas aulas. Observamos correspondência entre a percepção autorrelatada do CPE e a social, realizada pelos pares. A percepção social foi claramente mais expressiva entre os dois indicadores do senso comum do que entre escalas e senso comum, evidenciando a necessidade de mais estudos sobre o tema.

Abstract Psychological research on environmental commitment (EC) typically uses scales developed to assess people's concern for environmental issues. However, the results are not always well understood by professionals of related areas, as in the case of environmental educators. We present two studies (N1 = 380; N2 = 205), whose objective was to compare the self-perception of EC to its social perception. Participants evaluated their own EC, by means of psychological scales and self-reports of their own practice of environmental care. They also evaluated the EC of colleagues who had been studying in the same class. We have found correspondence between EC's self-perception and the social variety, reported by the peers. The social perception was clearly more expressive between both common sense indicators than between psychological scales and common sense, emphasizing the need for more studies on the theme.

Environmental psychology: a social psychology Articulating psychology, education and environment

Resumo O artigo apresenta uma reflexão a respeito da psicologia socioambiental como uma psicologia social que busca articular psicologia, educação e ambiente. Neste sentido, propõe-se um tipo de intervenção socioambiental pensada como uma estratégia original e inovativa de educação transformadora, cujas influências pedagógicas transcenderiam o campo socioambiental ao qual se direciona, reverberando seus efeitos para além de suas fronteiras. Buscase, com esta reflexão, recuperar o pensamento (próximo do da Escola de Frankfurt) de Kurt Lewin, transpondo suas preconizações para o mundo contemporâneo. Assim, a intervenção socioambiental proposta consistiria em esboço de um método de reconstrução cultural do presente na direção de um futuro utópico, em compromisso com a democracia e a emancipação, um caminho para uma verdadeira revolução pacífica.

Abstract The paper presents a reflexion about the social-environmental psychology as a social psychology that aims to articulate psychology, education and environment. It is proposed a type of social-environmental intervention thought as an original and innovative strategy, whose pedagogical influences would transcend the social-environmental field to which is directed, reverberating its effects to beyond its boundaries. We search, with this reflexion, to recover the thought (near the Frankfurt School) of Kurt Lewin, transposing its postulations to the contemporary world. Thus, the proposed social-environmental intervention would consist in a draft of a cultural reconstruction method of the present in the direction of a utopian future, committed with the democracy and emancipation, a way to a true pacific revolution.

Pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors: two levels of response to environmental social norms

Abstract One of the ways to tackle the current environmental crisis is by trying to change beliefs and behaviors through the issuance of new laws. But laws and formal norms only become effective once they are also informally valued. This paper aims at determining whether law-regulated pro-environmental beliefs and behaviors (a) have acquired social value in Brazil, as they have in Europe and (b) pertain to two different construal levels, which could help explain the persistent belief-behavior gap in the environmental field. These two objectives are addressed in two studies using self-presentation and hetero-judgment paradigms. Results confirm the proposed hypotheses and are discussed in terms of social change for sustainability.

Resumen La actual crisis ambiental puede ser atenuada a través del establecimiento de leyes formales que alteren creencias y comportamientos ambientales. Se tiene como objetivo en este artículo identificar si creencias y comportamientos regulados por ley (a) han adquirido valor social positivo tanto en Brasil como en Europa y (b) pertenecen a diferentes niveles de abstracción, el que podría explicar el persistente gap entre creencias y comportamientos ambientales. Estos objetivos son respondidos a través de dos estudios con los paradigmas de la auto-presentación y del hetero-juzgamiento. Los resultados confirman las hipótesis propuestas y son discutidos en términos de cambios sociales para la sostenibilidad.

Human ecology and pro-environmental action: reciprocal otherness amongst the classroom, school and the community for sustainable waste management

Resumen Se reporta el cambio cultural que substituye la cultura de la basura por una cultura de acopio y entrega diferenciada de residuos sólidos municipales. La investigación interviene en el cien por ciento de la población: los sujetos colectivos son 397 grupos académicos de 60 escuelas, reuniendo a una cantidad de 397 profesoras(es) y 8266 escolares. Se interviene estratégicamente en tres entornos: aula, escuela, comunidad, que alcanzan el rol de instrumento a partir de sus interconexiones ambientales. La metodología considera la estrategia de los experimentos ecológicos lewinianos para investigar empíricamente las interdependencias de los contextos, el interés son los entornos de poder (fuerza, posición y potencia) en la relación del estudiante con su realidad, induciendo la conexión directa de los entornos, bajo un proceso de alteridad recíproca aunque asimétrica. Con la escala de Ossgod se reportan los cambios actitudinales sin embargo, el "dato duro" es la reunión del 42% de residuos diferenciados, en un contexto latinoamericano en el que solo se reúne del 3 al 6%.

Abstract A cultural shift is observed which replaces the trash culture by a culture of collection and selected delivery of municipal solid waste. This research included 100 % of the population and the collective subjects are 397 academic groups of 60 schools, thereby bringing together a number of 397 (s) teachers and 8266 students. Thi paper strategically includes three environments: classroom, school, community, which reach the role of instrument from its environmental interconnections. The methodology considers the strategy of lewinian ecological experiments in order to empirically analyze interdependencies of contexts, interest for power environments (strength, position and power) in the relationship of students with their reality, thus inducing the direct connection of the environments, under a process of reciprocal, although asymmetric otherness. By means of the Ossgod Scale, which reports behavioral changes, the "hard data" is the meeting of 42% of differentiated waste, in a American context of 3 to 6.

Attitudes towards the environment in childhood: a children analysis in southern Brazil

Resumen El objetivo del estudio es verificar si existen diferencias entre las actitudes ambientales de niños (8 - 12 años) del sur de Brasil con relación al sexo, tipo de escuela (pública o privada), ciudad de residencia y edad. Además, se buscó comprender la percepción de los niños acerca de las actitudes ambientales. Para esto, la investigación fue realizada en dos etapas: en la primera, cuantitativa (n = 1719) se utilizó la Escala de Actitudes Ambientales para Niños y en la segunda etapa, cualitativa, fueron realizados tres grupos focales (n = 27). Los resultados señalaron que los niños que viven en ciudades del interior o los que frecuentan escuelas públicas tienden a desarrollar más actitudes favorables al ambiente, así como los niños más pequeños. Los niños demostraron preocuparse con la crisis ambiental y mencionaron tener actitudes ambientales cotidianas y de activismo.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to verify differences between environmental attitudes of children (8 to 12 years old) in the south of Brazil considering sex, school (public or private), city of residence and age. Also sought to understand the perception of children about the environmental attitudes. Considering this, the research was conducted in two stages: first, in a quantitative study (n = 1719), the Children's Environmental Attitudes Scale have been used and in the second stage, a qualitative study was conducted through three focus groups (n = 27). The outcomes reveals that children living in inner cities or those who attend puclic schools tend to develop more favorable environmental attitudes, as well as younger children. Children showed concern with the environmental crises and mentioned having environmental attitudes, either daily attitudes or activism.

Responsible urban behavior: rules of conviviality in public space

Resumen Este artículo discute diferentes taxonomías para diferenciar las reglas que guían el comportamiento de las personas y la manera como tales reglas pueden ejercer influencia sobre los individuos en los espacios públicos urbanos. Adicionalmente, recoge los resultados de un estudio descriptivo que explora la manera como los habitantes de la ciudad valoran la importancia de un conjunto de reglas que guían comportamientos urbanos responsables en los espacios públicos. Participaron en total un total de 421 personas de ambos sexos y diversos grupos de edad quienes identificaron y valoraron la importancia del seguimiento de las reglas de convivencia identificadas como más sobresalientes para la convivencia en la ciudad. A partir de un análisis de escalamiento multidimensional se pudo establecer que las personas valoran la importancia de las reglas a partir de la función que cumplen para la sociedad: higiene, seguridad, solidaridad, respeto, cuidado del ambiente y movilidad. Se observa igualmente variaciones en cuanto al número de reglas que los participantes valoran como importantes dependiendo del grupo de edad al que pertenecen. A partir de los resultados se propone una estrategia de educación ciudadana centrada en la difusión de un sistema articulado de reglas para la convivencia que las visibilice y precise su función y beneficios colectivos para la ciudadanía.

Abstract This article discusses different taxonomies to distinguish amongst rules which guide people's behavior, and how such rules can influence individuals in urban public spaces. Additionally, this paper presents a descriptive study which delves on the way people assess the importance of a set of rules of conviviality in public spaces. A total of 421 people of different genders and age groups participated in identifying and evaluating the importance of abiding by the most outstanding rules of coexistence for the city. From a multidimensional scaling perspective, it was established that people assess the importance of rules based on their role for society: health, safety, solidarity, respect and care for the environment and mobility. Variations were also observed in the number of rules which participants regard as important, depending on the age group they belong to. From the results, a public education strategy is proposed which focuses on the dissemination of an integrated system of rules for conviviality, thereby highlighting and clarifying their role and collective benefits to the public.

Environmental attitudes and behaviors of college students: a case study conducted at a chilean university

Abstract Encouraging the adoption of a pro-environmental behavior is critical in order to reduce the environmental impacts and to move toward a more sustainable future. Higher education plays an important role in training professionals who have an important role in protecting the environment in the future. The aim of this study is to identify whether there are significant differences between college students depending on their diploma of specialization, related to the environment or not, the year in which they are studying and gender. The sample consisted of 383 engineering students in first, third and sixth year, with two instruments designed to measure environmental attitudes and behaviors. Significant differences were found between students pursuing diplomas related to the environment and those who are not. Otherwise, no significant differences were observed between students enrolled in different levels. Perceived effort, positive environmental attitude or perceived positive consequents predict the frequency of pro-environmental behaviors in students, the former (perceived effort, negative) being the most influential variable.

Resumen Alentar la adopción de comportamientos pro-ambientales es crítico para reducir impactos ambientales y encaminarse hacia un futuro sustentable. La educación superior es relevante para la formación de profesionales que jugarán un rol central en la protección del ambiente. El propósito del presente estudio es identificar si hay diferencias en comportamientos pro-ambientales entre los estudiantes universitarios dependiendo de su diploma de especialización (si ambiental o no), nivel de estudios y género. La muestra incluye a 383 estudiantes de ingeniería que cursan 1, 3 y 6 años, quienes respondieron instrumentos para medir actitudes y comportamientos pro-ambientales. Se observan diferencias significativas entre quienes cursan diplomas de especialización de tipo ambiental respecto de los otros. No hay diferencias según el año o nivel de estudios. El esfuerzo percibido para la realización de comportamientos pro-ambientales, las actitudes pro-ambientales positivas y la percepción de consecuencias positivas por la realización de aquellos, predicen la realización de comportamientos pro-ambientales, donde el esfuerzo percibido es la variable de mayor influencia.

Environmental education: itineraries in nature and their relationship with connectedness, environmental concerns and behavior

Resumen Las excursiones e itinerarios a través de entornos naturales son frecuentes en la educación ambiental, pero existe poca evidencia empírica de investigaciones que aporten resultados que permitan comprender mejor los efectos de las experiencias de contacto directo con ambientes naturales, y menos aún acerca de su relación con la conectividad con la naturaleza, las preocupaciones ambientales y el comportamiento proambiental. Se llevan a cabo dos estudios, en el primero participan 286 estudiantes de psicología, quienes completan un cuestionario que mide conectividad, preocupación ambiental, conducta y variables sociodemográficas y socioculturales. En el segundo estudio, 40 alumnos participan en una excursión por un ambiente natural, completando medidas pre y post de conectividad. Los resultados indican que la preocupación ambiental está relacionada con variables sociodemográficas y socioculturales como el género, la ideología política y la religiosidad; no así la conectividad con la naturaleza, que solo aumenta tras el contacto con un ambiente natural. Se discuten los alcances de los resultados del estudio para la educación ambiental.

Abstract Albeit there is research about basic concepts involved in environmental education, enough evidence is lacking about the experiences of contact with natural environments, so common in this field, and even less about his relationship with Connectedness with Nature, Environmental Concerns and Pro-environmental Behavior. We report results of two studies; the first involving 286 psychology students who completed a questionnaire measuring Connectedness, Concerns, Behavior and Socio-demographic and Sociocultural variables. In the second study, 40 students participated in an excursion across a natural environment, completing pre and post measures of Connectedness. The main results show that the concerns are related to demographic and socio-cultural variables such as gender, political ideology and religiosity, but not to Connectedness with Nature, which only increases after contact with a natural environment. We discuss the implications of the findings for environmental education.