This is a reflection paper on the links between environmental attitudes and behaviors as seen from the eyes of Corbett (57-100). The author takes the readership through her experience as she sought to educate herself on better ways of communicating environmental issues. She asserts that in her quest to become knowledgeable in communicating environmental issues, she realized that it is more than just designing persuasive messages. She attributes this to the intricate and multifaceted nature of individual attitudes that call for a multi-dimensional approach, in which designing of appealing messages is one of them.
Corbett (67-68) takes issue with surveys on environmental issues. She is convinced that the responses and ultimately the results are inaccurate because of the possible lack of knowledge among study participants. She asserts that better results can be obtained by targeting an audience that is knowledgeable in environmental issues. She further argues that educating the public on environmental issues can go a long way in encouraging environmentally responsible behaviors fostered by the interplay between attitudes and social factors. She exemplifies this with peer pressure that may force someone to purchase a high mileage car or governments that encourage walkable sidewalks and roads. These two examples exhibit attitude and practice; proofing that an enabling environment can foster positive behaviors with regards to citizens’ practice and upholding of environmentally friendly practices. This certainly is not a unidirectional solution but rather a multifaceted one as earlier intimated by the author.
Work Cited
Corbett, Julia B. Communicating Nature. Washington, DC: Island Press, 2006. Print.
