BIOPHILIC VALUES AS PATHWAYS TO NATURE CONNECTEDNESS IN UPPER SECONDARY STUDENTS AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of activating the five biophilic values of emotion, contact, meaning, beauty, and compassion to increase upper secondary students’ nature connectedness and thereby their pro-environmental attitudes and behaviours.

Theory: The study was mainly based on the theory of the five biophilic values as pathways to nature connectedness; while also drawing on experiential learning theory, and the EYE for Sustainability Learning Tool.

Method: The research was conducted as an action research study of quasi-experimental pretest-posttest static nonequivalent comparison groups design. Mixed-methods consisting of a questionnaire with the established scales for measuring nature connectedness, the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS), the Nature Relatedness scale (NR-21) and the Inclusion of Nature in Self scale (INS); and qualitative and arts-based methods for a select number of students; comprising reflective texts, interviews, and drawings; were utilised to measure participants nature connectedness in the pre- and posttest. PEAB was measured by a PEAB scale and in interviews and reflective texts. Participants in the intervention group were out of convenience students from the researchers own social science classes (aged 16-17) and the control group consisted of students in the grade above (aged 17-18), all other characteristics being similar.

Results: Firstly, results showed that the IG increased their nature connectedness more than the CG as measured by the NR-21, CSN and INS; this was also found in some of the interviews and reflective texts while the drawings were more difficult to interpret. Secondly, the IG increased their PEAB more than the CG as measured by the PEAB scale and through interviews and reflective texts. Findings indicated that the five biophilic values are effective in increasing nature connectedness and PEAB in upper secondary students.