The impact of language framing on critical elaboration in sustainability education

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Publication Type dissertation
School or College College of Health
Department Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
Author Cachelin, Adrienne M.
Title The impact of language framing on critical elaboration in sustainability education
Date 2011-08
Description Because what people do individually and collectively is not based solely on what they know, the way educators communicate concepts in sustainability education is of utmost importance. Framing may impact recognized antecedents of pro-environmental behavior (such as attitudes) as well as traditional educational outcomes (e.g., critical thinking). Because commonly used frames are based in metaphors that tend to portray nature as a resource and resist ecological realities (e.g., the finite nature of matter), sustainability education may actually undermine pro-environmental behavior. This study examines the impact of framing on critical elaboration in sustainability education. Participants were college students in introductory ecology and recreation courses. Using a 2x2 fully factorial design, students read text; that portrayed humans as either a part of nature (systems metaphor) or apart from nature (nonsystems metaphor) in either active or passive voice and responded using a thought-listing technique. Responses were then coded for critical elaboration. Data were analyzed using an analysis of variance, which revealed no interaction of voice and metaphor type effects. A comparison of main effects means revealed significant differences. Frames that used a systems metaphor rather than a nonsystems metaphor elicited higher critical elaboration scores. Frames that used active rather than passive voice elicited more critical elaboration. Implications for future research and for sustainability education are discussed.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Critical thinking; Elaboration; Environmental education; Framing; Sustainability education
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name Doctor of Philosophy
Language eng
Rights Management Copyright © Adrienne M. Cachelin 2011
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 11,267,075 bytes
Identifier us-etd3,49659
Source original in Marriott Library Special Collections; GE5.9 2011 .C33
ARK ark:/87278/s65x2qnb
Setname ir_etd
ID 194378
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s65x2qnb
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