Abstract
An increasing trend of environmental problems is largely associated with human interaction with nature. While individual attitudes and behavior play a pivotal role in attaining sustainable ecological actions, this article questions whether there is adequate coverage of the current environmental issues in the existing scales measuring environmental attitudes and behaviors. To achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs), sustainable efforts need to be invested to shape human interaction with nature. Nonetheless, the question of whether an effective change in attitudinal and behavioral constructs can translate into objective ecological actions requires sound measurements. Based on an analysis of 54 scales, the present article reveals that some critical environmental issues such as climate change and inclusiveness of science and technology have largely been neglected. It further brings out a conclusion that proposes a transitional approach for environmental psychologists to rethink the measurement approaches that broadly enhances sustainable development in global terms.
Highlights
Pro-environmental attitudes (PEA) and behaviors are increasingly considered potential variables accounting for the contemporary environmental pressing issues (Clayton, 2019; Nielsen et al, 2020; Proctor & Vu, 2019; Van Lange, Joireman, & Milinski, 2018)
Despite the widest range of the available scales for PEA and pro-environmental behavior (PEB), little is known on the extent to which they address the most pressing environmental issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution
The present article adopts a systematic review in which well-defined questions, a thorough quality check of the relevant studies as well as advanced criteria for inclusion and exclusion of sampled articles have been considered for a review process (Grant & Booth, 2009; Khan et al, 2003)
Summary
Pro-environmental attitudes (PEA) and behaviors are increasingly considered potential variables accounting for the contemporary environmental pressing issues (Clayton, 2019; Nielsen et al, 2020; Proctor & Vu, 2019; Van Lange, Joireman, & Milinski, 2018). While the need for conservation psychology grows immensely to address the existing environmental problems, the measurement of PEA and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) has created endless debates in psychological research (McIntyre & Milfont, 2016). This motivated Gifford and Nilsson (2014) to note that the understanding of pro-environmental attitudes and behavior “is far more complex than previously thought”. Despite the widest range of the available scales for PEA and PEB, little is known on the extent to which they address the most pressing environmental issues such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution. An increasing threat from environmental problems hampers the United Nations (UN) efforts to attain sustainable development goals (SDGs) (Mensah, 2019)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
