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Abstract
Grounded in large-scale studies, this research further investigates the nature of pro-environmental behaviours and related factors by selecting a nation-wide sample of Turkish pre-service science teachers as educators of future generations. We examined the relationships between pro-environmental behaviours and psychological and cognitive variables by evaluating the proposed theoretical model through path analysis. Data were collected from 1497 pre-service science teachers using environmental future scale, behaviour inventory of environmental action, knowledge of environmental issues scale, environmental attitude (ecocentric and anthropocentric) scale, and Environmental Action Internal Control Index. Highlighting the explanatory power of some cognitive and psychological attributes on pro-environmental behaviours in Turkey, this research identified attitudinal motives as the primary indicator of pro-environmental behaviours, compared to other constructs. Accordingly, the study implies that the promotion of pro-environmental behaviours could be achieved by redesigning the teacher education curriculum around the development of a realistic sense of hope and optimism via ecocentric worldviews.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Elvan Sahin
Elvan Sahin is an associate professor in Science Education at Middle East Technical University, Turkey. She received her PhD (2008), MS (2005) in science education and BS (2002) in chemistry education from Middle East Technical University, Turkey. Her main research interests are education for sustainability and environmental literacy.
Umut Alper
Umut Alper is a middle school science teacher in Ankara, Turkey. She received her PhD (2014) in science education from Middle East Technical University and BS (2006) in science education from Hacettepe University, Turkey. Her main research interest is environmental education.
Ceren Oztekin
Ceren Oztekin is a professor in Science Education at Middle East Technical University, Turkey. She received her PhD (1996), MS (1991) in science education and BS (1988) in biological sciences from the Middle East Technical University, Turkey. Her main research interests are conceptual understanding, pedagogic content knowledge and environmental education.