Social representations of environment: a study with undergraduates of different courses of UEPA, Altamira, Brazil

Abstract

An understanding about the environment can have a significant impact on social practices. This leads us to question how academics from different majors at a public university understand the environment. This research aimed to analyze the social representations of environment by undergraduates studentes at the Pará State University (UEPA), campus Altamira, focusing on establishing a comparison between the different courses. The methodology used the free recall of words technique. It is based on the Central Nucleus Theory, including the application of subjective questions that were submitted to Content Analysis. We found that the students of Natural Sciences/Biology and Physical Education courses have environmental representation related to the awareness and preservation of nature, similar to academic mathematics. The academics of Natural Sciences/Chemistry demonstrated an environmental design as a synonym for nature linked to environmental problems. It is concluded that the social representations of undergraduates are related to an environmental approach experienced during graduation and may be influenced by other social groups. We consider it important that future teachers understand the environment interdisciplinary, encompassing the various aspects related to it, since the social representation of the educator has a direct relationship with their teaching practices

Keywords

• meio ambiente
• representação social
• licenciandos