Analysis of the structure and factorial invariance of the multidimensional environmental concern scale (mecs) / Análisis de la estructura e invarianza factorial de la Escala Multidimensional de Ambientalismo (EMA)

BACKGROUND: Most studies focused on measuring environmental attitudes consider a one-dimension measure of pro/anti-environmentalism, such as NEP scale. Nevertheless, more recent research has shown that it seems more adequate to use a multidimensional approach when assessing complex relations among people and the natural environment, particularly on cultural basis. This paper aims to test the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Environmental Concern Scale (MECS) and, in particular, its factorial invariance. METHOD: Two studies were conducted. The first one assessed factorial invariance using two different approaches (multiple group confirmatory factor analysis - MGCFA, and alignment method) in a sample of 907 undergraduate students from Argentina, India, and Spain. A second study was conducted with 557 adults from Mexico and Spain, which also evaluated the criterion validity of the MECS' scores. RESULTS: The results obtained allowed to assure an acceptable degree of invariance of the MECS among all countries, and in terms of gender (Studies 1 and 2), age and education level (Study 2). CONCLUSIONS: Results provide support for a multidimensional approach when studying the environmental concern, showing that the environmentalism presents different associations depending on the analysed country. A deep analysis on different conceptualization of environmentalism will be promoted

ANTECEDENTES: la mayoría de los estudios que miden actitudes ambientales utilizan una medida unidimensional de pro/anti-ambientalismo como la escala NPE. Sin embargo, investigaciones recientes han mostrado la adecuación de enfoques multidimensionales al medir las relaciones complejas entre las personas y el entorno natural, particularmente sobre una base cultural. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo probar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Multidimensional de Ambientalismo (EMA) y, en particular, su invarianza factorial. MÉTODO: se realizaron dos estudios. El primero evaluó la invarianza a través de dos enfoques diferentes (análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo y método de alineamiento) en una muestra de 907 estudiantes universitarios de Argentina, India y España. El segundo estudio, llevado a cabo en México y España con 557 adultos de la población general, evaluó además la validez de criterio sobre las puntuaciones obtenidas con la EMA. RESULTADOS: se obtiene un nivel de invarianza aceptable de la EMA entre los países considerados y según género (estudios 1 y 2), edad y nivel educativo (estudio 2). CONCLUSIONES: los resultados apoyan un enfoque multidimensional de las actitudes ambientales, mostrando que el interés ambiental presenta distintas asociaciones según el país analizado. Ello permitirá estudiar en profundidad las diferentes conceptualizaciones del ambientalismo

Analysis of the structure and factorial invariance of the Multidimensional Environmental Concern Scale (MECS).

BACKGROUND: Most studies focused on measuring environmental attitudes consider a one-dimension measure of pro/anti-environmentalism, such as NEP scale. Nevertheless, more recent research has shown that it seems more adequate to use a multidimensional approach when assessing complex relations among people and the natural environment, particularly on cultural basis. This paper aims to test the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Environmental Concern Scale (MECS) and, in particular, its factorial invariance. METHOD: Two studies were conducted. The first one assessed factorial invariance using two different approaches (multiple group confirmatory factor analysis - MGCFA, and alignment method) in a sample of 907 undergraduate students from Argentina, India, and Spain. A second study was conducted with 557 adults from Mexico and Spain, which also evaluated the criterion validity of the MECS' scores. RESULTS: The results obtained allowed to assure an acceptable degree of invariance of the MECS among all countries, and in terms of gender (Studies 1 and 2), age and education level (Study 2). CONCLUSIONS: Results provide support for a multidimensional approach when studying the environmental concern, showing that the environmentalism presents different associations depending on the analysed country. A deep analysis on different conceptualization of environmentalism will be promoted.

Categorización de los objetos que forman parte del Extended Self, y sus discursos asociados / Categorization of objects that are part of the extended self, and its associated discourses

Resumen La personalización del espacio se construye con las claves que el propietario distribuye en el espacio. Estas claves, mayoritariamente objetos, forman parte del Extended Self. Para comprobar si existe un discurso diferenciado según la categoría a la que pertenecen los objetos de los dormitorios, se realizaron tres estudios. Tras obtener una lista de los objetos más representativos, en el siguiente estudio los participantes clasificaron bajo su criterio estos objetos. Un análisis de cluster mostró dos categorías: funcional y simbólico. Finalmente, un análisis de contenido de las razones de selección de los objetos mostró discursos diferenciados para cada categoría. Los resultados confirman que los objetos se organizan en funcional y simbólico, en donde se obtienen discursos diferenciados según la categoría a la que pertenecen.

Abstract Personalization of space is constructed through the cues that the owner leaves in the space. These cues, mostly objects, are also a basic part of the extended self. To check if there is a differentiate discourse consistent with the categories in which the objects belong, three studies are carried out. After obtaining a list of the most representative, in the subsequent study the participants short these objects using their own criteria. A Cluster analysis showed two categories, Functional and Symbolic. Finally, a content analysis about the reasons of participants to choose each object showed differentiated discourses for each category. These results confirm the objects are organized into Functional and Symbolic, producing differentiated discourses. depending on the category they belong.

An Analysis of the Connectedness to Nature Scale Based on Item Response Theory.

The Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) is used as a measure of the subjective cognitive connection between individuals and nature. However, to date, it has not been analyzed at the item level to confirm its quality. In the present study, we conduct such an analysis based on Item Response Theory. We employed data from previous studies using the Spanish-language version of the CNS, analyzing a sample of 1008 participants. The results show that seven items presented appropriate indices of discrimination and difficulty, in addition to a good fit. The remaining six have inadequate discrimination indices and do not present a good fit. A second study with 321 participants shows that the seven-item scale has adequate levels of reliability and validity. Therefore, it would be appropriate to use a reduced version of the scale after eliminating the items that display inappropriate behavior, since they may interfere with research results on connectedness to nature.

Perception of personal identity at home.

This study aims to discover whether observers with the same cultural background as the inhabitant of a bedroom perceive common characteristics among the inhabitants. The study was carried out with 107 females who were asked to assess the inhabitants of eight bedrooms. Several slides of each bedroom were shown to participants and they had to choose from a list of seventy-six characteristics those that defined the resident of each bedroom. Results revealed that socio-demographic variables thus attributed coincided with the profiles of the inhabitants. A correspondence analysis brought to light a dimension linked to affective aspects, which was more prominent among women; whereas among men the characteristics thus attributed were more linked to practical aspects and to difficulties for social interaction. A second study was conducted to determine whether gender stereotype had any influence on the result of the previous study. The outcomes showed that this stereotype did not have any effect on the participants' judgments.

Perception of personal identity at home / Percepción de la identidad personal en el hogar

This study aims to discover whether observers with the same cultural background as the inhabitant of a bedroom perceive common characteristics among the inhabitants. The study was carried out with 107 females who were asked to assess the inhabitants of eight bedrooms. Several slides of each bedroom were shown to participants and they had to choose from a list of seventy-six characteristics those that defined the resident of each bedroom. Results revealed that socio-demographic variables thus attributed coincided with the profiles of the inhabitants. A correspondence analysis brought to light a dimension linked to affective aspects, which was more prominent among women; whereas among men the characteristics thus attributed were more linked to practical aspects and to difficulties for social interaction. A second study was conducted to determine whether gender stereotype had any influence on the result of the previous study. The outcomes showed that this stereotype did not have any effect on the participants’ judgments (AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo descubrir si observadores con el mismo background cultural que el habitante de un dormitorio perciben características comunes entre los habitantes de dichos dormitorios. El estudio se llevó a cabo con 107 mujeres, a las que se les pidió que evaluaran a los habitantes de ocho habitaciones. Varias diapositivas de cada habitación se mostraron a los participantes y éstos tenían que elegir de una lista de 76 adjetivos aquellos que mejor definían a los residentes de cada habitación. Los resultados revelaron que las variables sociodemográficas que se les atribuía coincidían con los perfiles de los habitantes. Además, un análisis de correspondencias permitió observar que a las mujeres residentes se les atribuía en mayor medida una dimensión vinculada a los aspectos afectivos, mientras que a los hombres residentes se les atribuía características relacionadas con los aspectos prácticos y las dificultades de interacción. En un segundo estudio llevado a cabo con 132 estudiantes mujeres se muestra que el estereotipo de género no resulta relevante para a la hora de considerar los resultados del primer estudio(AU)

Percepción social de los riesgos y gestión de las emergencias ambientales

En el marco del nuevo paradigma de la "sociedad del riesgo" designado por Beck, se plantean algunas consideraciones acerca de las "emergencias" ambientales, la percepción social de las fuentes de riesgo y la percepción del riesgo. Presentamos también los resultados empíricos de una investigación psicométrica sobre la percepción social de riesgos ambientales en el contexto cultural español. Desde este enfoque, se intenta comprender cómo las personas entienden ciertos peligros ambientales a través de diversas dimensiones de juicio. Se examinan algunos resultados y limitaciones metodológicas, considerando las diferentes estrategias de análisis de datos, y su injerencia respecto al patrón de resultados y al tipo de información que cada perspectiva puede aportar. Al mismo tiempo, se consideran las diferentes grupales en función de la edad, género y nivel educativo de los participantes, con el objetivo de explorar las influencias de los factores sociales y culturales en los juicios sobre el riesgo. Por último, se sugieren algunas reflexiones sobre este tipo de investigaciones y la contribución potencial de la psicología a la gestión de las emergencias ambientales (AU)