New Ecological Paradigm Scale (NEP-R)

The New Ecological Paradigm Scale-Revised (NEP-R) is an updated version of the 1978 New Ecological Paradigm Survey. This updated version reflects current environmental terminology, as well as tests a single construct. The NEP-R is suitable for use in the general adult population.

Average Review: 3 (3.3)

by anonymous, PhD Candidate, University of California, Davis, 3

The New Ecological Paradigm scale is based on the original ideas and questions of the original New Environmental Paradigm (Dunlap & Van Liere, 1978). The tool has been modified several times and has been used,tested and written about a LOT in research journals. I have looked to this scale for ideas when designing interview questions and to think about some of the many ways to assess environmental concern. However, I have never been in a situation where I felt it appropriate to use this entire tool. My opinion is that the tool is too narrowly focused on the idea of earths carrying capacity and the impending global environmental crisis that will occur because of population growth and in spite of technological advances and does not give respondents any real opportunity to demonstrate their environmental concern in the form of positive actions or opinions. In general I feel that although the language of the tool has been updated the ideas behind the tool could stand to be modernized.