Psychological Study

See Luc Pelletier's work out of the University of Ottawa Ontario Canada: Journal of Applied Psychology, 1998, vol.28 p.437-468 "Why are you doing things for the environment? The Motivation Toward the Environment Scale (MTES)" Pelletier, Tuson, Green-Demers, Noels, & Beaton

also - Chapter 10 of the Handbook for Self-Determination (2004) Handbook of self-determination research / Edward L. Deci & Richard M. Ryan, editors Rochester, NY : University of Rochester Press, 2004

Mr. Kelly G. Goyer

Waste Prevention Coordinator
University of Saskatchewan 
Facilities Mgmt. Division
110 Maintenance Road
Saskatoon, Sk. S7N 5C5 CANADA
Ph. (306) 966-1282

Gaye -

see the recent study conducted by the American Zoo Association (http://www.aza.org/ConEd/). As part of it they developed a self-efficacy scale. Maybe ask Joe Heimlich if he'll let you use a copy.

Dear Gaye,

Having been a high school teacher, I think perhaps research which includes studies done on "learning styles" and audiences, technological pros/cons insofar as memorable experiences, computer gaming, etc. When doing "experiential" learning, often people come to their own conclusions and the learning is perhaps deeper. Using the 5 senses makes a more holistic learning experience, too. And with the idea that there are "7 kinds of intelligence", that gives another dimension to the approaches to persuasive messages for all. I like information with a context and with an effective story (told by a good storyteller). Animal photos grab the heart (eg., Canada's polar bears), and when we waste, guilt can set in . . . does guilt change intentions, I wonder. As well, when one is shown the linkages of things in biodiversity issues, it becomes really important to widen one's perception of climate change - it affects everything. I shall look forward to hearing about your thesis results!

Sharon Lawrence
Canada

Hi Gaye

Sounds like an interesting study. A special issue of the journal Environmental Education Research, Vol 8, #3, 2002 has a lot of good discussion about this topic. Also, I measured some similar constructs to those you mention in a recent preliminary investigation I conducted, details of which can be found at http://www.surveybrief.awake.com.au/ . Feel free to contact me if you want some more detail on the scales etc.  Good luck, would love to hear what you find.

Regards
Tim

Tim Cotter
Registered Psychologist
AWAKE 56 Bloomfield Rd,
Ascot Vale, Melbourne, VIC
3032, Australia
Tel: (+61 3) 9370 0273
Fax: (+61 3) 9370 0276
Mobile: (+61) 0404 212 903
Email:

Hi Gaye

You might be interested in the adult education work undertaken by Fred Wegman of Holland's SWOV institute (it is in English). His research is into mature driver behaviour change, and how adults learn and what motivates them to change. I'm sure you can find him by googling.

regards
Jane Waldock

Customer Services Engineer
ph: 9846 0527
mobile: 0412 488 386

Hello All,

I am a 4th year student studying a Bachelor of Psychology at Central Queensland University in Australia. My thesis research project is about the persuasive effect of climate change media messages on peoples attitudes and beliefs about climate change. I am in the process of recruiting participants and am hoping that some of you may have mailing lists that you could send the email below to. I am hoping to recruit people from the general population who do not already have strong beliefs or attitudes about climate change, therefore people on this FSB listserv are not my target population. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

regards
Gaye Foster

SAMPLE EMAIL
Hello I am a 4th year student studying a Bachelor of Psychology at Central Queensland University in Australia. For my thesis research project it is necessary for me to recruit participants to complete a series of short multiple-choice questionnaires which should take about 25-35 minutes to complete. The questionnaires relate to your attitude and beliefs about climate change. As a sign of appreciation for participation all participants will be entered into a draw for a $50 Coles-Myer gift voucher which will be drawn on 19 September 2008. A full Information Sheet and Informed Consent Form will be provided to as soon as you open the survey webpage. Participation in this study is completely voluntary. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time. Your identity will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed at any time. Please do not type your name or any identifying marks on the web based survey. If you agree to participate, please try to answer all of the questions, as each question has been included for a specific purpose. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this study, I will be happy to answer them before you fill in the questionnaires.

You are welcome to contact me, Gaye Foster, by phone on 07 5477 0651 or email at [email protected].

If you would like to participate please contact me at [email protected] and type "thesis" into the subject line; a webpage link will be emailed to you. Thank you in anticipation, your support is much appreciated.

regards
Gaye Foster