Assessing Children's Environmental Worldviews: Modifying and Validating the New Ecological Paradigm Scale for Use With Children

Abstract

The authors revised and validated the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale for use with upper elementary students. Researchers use the NEP Scale extensively with adults, but it was not designed for children. Interviews with 5th grade students helped the authors revise the NEP Scale for use with children. The authors spent 2 years validating the modified instrument with larger numbers of students. After analyzing their results, the authors suggest that a 3-dimensional modified NEP Scale for Children, with 10 instead of 15 items and revised wording, is appropriate for use with children aged 10-12 years.

Keywords:

• earth education
• environmental worldviews
• New Ecological Paradigm Scale