Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2011
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Marci R. Culley, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Rod Watts, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Kelly M. Lewis, Ph.D.
Abstract
The most devastating effects of climate change may be avoided if humans reduce activities that produce greenhouse gases and engage instead in more sustainable ecological behaviors. The current mixed methods study of 279 undergraduate students explored whether environmental worldview, belief in climate change, knowledge of climate change, personal efficacy, and intention to address climate change influenced participants’ engagement in ecological behavior. Results indicated that those with a stronger intention to address climate change and a more ecocentric worldview reported significantly more ecological behavior. Next, the study examined whether participants’ intentions to address climate change mediated the relationship between their belief in climate change and engagement in ecological behavior and whether intentions mediated the relationship between efficacy and ecological behavior. Intentions to address climate change did not mediate the relationship between belief and ecological behavior but fully mediated the relationship between efficacy to address climate change and ecological behavior.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.57709/2000761
Recommended Citation
Street, Jalika C., "Predicting Ecological Behavior in the Era of Climate Change." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2011.
doi: https://doi.org/10.57709/2000761