Thiedemann, Justus (2022) Can zoos foster visitor engagement with nature and sustainability? Bachelor thesis, Psychology.
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Abstract
This study aimed to create a clearer image of the public opinion of zoos and how to make this image more positive to exploit zoos potential regarding conservation. To do so we investigated the relationship between environmental values and zoo approval and whether providing information about conservation efforts of zoos has an impact on the relationship between biospheric values and zoo approval. This study contained 318 participants, 124 of them were male, 189 were female, and 5 reported being non-binary, with a mean age of 38 years. We examined the relationship of interest by measuring environmental values using the environmental portrait value questionnaire and zoo approval. To measure the effect of information we showed participants a video of tigers in a zoo along with information. Participants either received information about conservation efforts of zoos, the entertainment aspect of zoos, or no information. The results showed a significant negative relationship between biospheric values and zoo approval. Moreover, taking hedonic values into account did not show significant changes in zoo approval. Lastly, providing information about the conservation efforts of zoos did not have an impact on the relationship between biospheric values and zoo approval. This study provides support for the idea that the public holds an inaccurate image of zoos and zoos conservation efforts, resulting in negative attitudes for participants concerned with the environment. If that inaccurate and negative image is to be resolved, accurate information has to be provided. We found that providing information, as we did, has no impact, inspiring future research to investigate more efficient ways of doing so.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Bachelor) |
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| Supervisor name: | Downer, T.J. |
| Degree programme: | Psychology |
| Differentiation route: | None [Bachelor Psychology] |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Jun 2022 07:58 |
| Last Modified: | 27 Jun 2022 07:58 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/611 |
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