An exploratory questionnaire to investigate Environmental Sensitivity

Abstract

In the frame of an exploratory stage, a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 97 students belonging to two faculties of the same university, which differed in formal environmental education. The objective was to investigate such influence on environmental sensitivity of students living in the same place and context. The two groups were: 1) students of the faculty of Psychology who have attended and approved the subject environmental psychology (N=52, mean age 26 years, SD 3.1) and 2) students of the Faculty of Economics (N=45, mean age 18 years, SD 1.6) who did not received any environmental education. The questionnaire covered cognitive aspects in terms of being informed about local environmental laws, its existence and fulfilment perception. They were also asked to mention the aspects or elements of the surround environment they dislike, and the aspects or elements of the surround environment they like most: how they enjoy them, their effects, if they perceive those elements are in danger and their personal responsibility. Finally, certain emotions provoked by nature were investigated in terms of strength, plenitude, submissiveness, interdependence, fear, calm, fragility, vitality, insecurity and harmony. By means of one way anova, significant statistical differences were found between the two groups as to the emotional section. The Psychology group reported more strength, plenitude, calm, vitality and harmony, and less fear, fragility and insecurity in respone to nature stimulation. When the age of the respondents was entered as a factor, more submissiveness and fragility were experienced by the younger group (Economics). On the other hand, this group failed in identifying the social dimension of the environment, as well as in the comprehension of the term interdependence, which are part of the environmental education. These preliminary results provide certain clues which will help to develop an assessing tool on environmental sensitivity. The objective is to protect and promote the physical and social environment from a positive perspective, by showing the benefits of living in interdependence with nature.