Date of Graduation

Spring 2014

Degree

Master of Science in Psychology

Department

Psychology

Committee Chair

Carol Shoptaugh

Abstract

The current study investigated the influence of climate change knowledge, belief in science, and green-efficacy on Missouri State University students' commitment to environmental sustainability and reported engagement in sustainable behaviors. Self-efficacy is one's belief that he/she will succeed in specific situations, and has been shown to be a predictor of motivated behavior. Green-efficacy is one's belief that he/she can engage in sustainable behaviors and have an impact with their behavior. A scale was developed to assess individual green self-efficacy in order to better understand individual motivation to engage in sustainable behavior. A factor analysis of the green self-efficacy scale yielded two distinct attitudes about engagement in sustainable behaviors: weak green self-efficacy and strong green self-efficacy. Strong green self-efficacy attitudes correlated strongly with engagement in sustainable behaviors and commitment, while weak green self-efficacy attitudes correlated negatively. A hierarchical regression analysis indicated a mediating effect green self-efficacy and commitment to environmental sustainability has between the climate change knowledge and sustainable behavior relationship. Strong green self-efficacy and commitment explain unique variability in the engagement of sustainable behaviors.

Keywords

sustainability, self-efficacy, engagement in sustainable behavior, commitment to sustainability, climate change knowledge, green

Subject Categories

Psychology

Copyright

© Shelby D. Anderson

Download

Campus Only

Share

COinS