ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS AND CHILDREN’S ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE

• Main Authors: José A. Corraliza, Silvia Collado
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spanish Psychological Association (Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos) 2019-10-01
• Series: Papeles del Psicólogo
• Subjects: childhood; nature; ecological awareness.
• Online Access: http://www.papelesdelpsicologo.es/English/2896.pdf

Until recently, the study of environmental beliefs and attitudes has been focused on adults. However, a better understanding of children’s environmental awareness is needed, since this will make it easier for future generations to assume the demands of pro-environmentalism. This paper highlights the importance of environmental experiences during childhood for the development of pro-environmental attitudes. We discuss different data about Spanish children’s ecological awareness, measured with the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) scale and the Children’s Environmental Perception Scale (CEPS). According to our findings, Spanish children show a medium-high level of ecological awareness. In addition, we propose a model describing four ecological profiles: eco-oriented, lounge ecologists, utilitarians, and techno-oriented. We conclude by highlighting the value of experiences of contact with nature for children’s pro-environmentalism.