Data_Sheet_1_The role of attitude toward nature in learning about environmental issues.pdf

Attitude toward nature and environmental attitude are two distinct propensities that both further learning about the environment. The present study builds upon prior research by investigating the role of attitude toward nature in learning about environmental issues. In a sample of 1,486 university, middle and high school students (Mage = 15.25, SD = 3.2), we first calibrated a pool of items expressing attitude toward nature. We found differences in how adolescents expressed their appreciation for nature at different ages. It is essential to consider these differences to accurately ascertain adolescents’ attitudes toward nature. We then conducted a mediation test. Whereas attitude toward nature determined the levels of knowledge students gained and retained, environmental attitude fully mediated the environmental knowledge subsequently demonstrated by the students. Our research suggests that researchers and educators may benefit from taking an experiential approach to learning about sustainable development by promoting appreciation for nature.

自然态度与环境保护态度是两种相互独立的倾向，它们共同促进对环境的深入理解。本研究在先前研究的基础上，探讨了自然态度在环境问题认知过程中的作用。在1,486名大学生、中学生和高中生（平均年龄Mage=15.25，标准差SD=3.2）的样本中，我们首先对表达自然态度的若干项目进行了校准。我们发现，青少年在不同年龄阶段表达对自然的欣赏方式存在差异。考虑这些差异对于准确把握青少年的自然态度至关重要。随后，我们进行了中介效应检验。结果显示，自然态度决定了学生获得和保留知识水平的程度，而环境保护态度则完全中介了学生随后展现出的环境知识。本研究表明，研究人员和教育工作者或许能够通过倡导对自然的欣赏，从而采取体验式学习方式，进一步促进对可持续发展认知的研究。