Sustainability behaviors. An application of the VBN theory in engineering students

Abstract

The theory of Values, Beliefs, and Norms (VBN) facilitates the understanding of how these aspects impact human behavior; understanding these influences triggers better prediction and explanation of behaviors. Values and beliefs can be internal, while norms refer to social and cultural expectations. The objective of this study is to analyze the values, beliefs, and norms of Computer Systems engineering students at the Tecnológico Nacional de México, Oaxaca campus, by contrasting the results with the study "Sustainability behaviors among college students: an application of the VBN theory." A descriptive quantitative methodology was developed; five sustainability behaviors were evaluated; it was applied to a total of 372 students, and three instruments were adapted. Results indicated that students who adhere to biospheric and altruistic values are more likely to engage in a variety of sustainability behaviors; conversely, those who adhere to selfish values are less likely to engage in most behaviors. Students who adhere to traditional values or are open to change showed mixed results.