ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION - A COMPARISON OF PR O-ENVIRONMENTAL COMPETENCESBETWEEN MEXICAN AND UNITED-STATES UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS

A study comparing the differences in pro-environmental competences bet ween U.S. and Mexican college students, in cities of the Sonoran deser t, was developed. Competences were measured by using a questionnaire w hich included six areas of environmental interaction: Definitions of n ature, control of solid waste, control of dust and smoke, rational use of resources, use of green areas, and notions of architectural design . And three properties: Physical-chemical, behavioral, and conventiona l. An exploratory factor analysis was used to produce the minimal numb er of significant factors subsuming the measured variables. The result s of this analysis indicated the presence of a single factor (competen cy) structure. A canonical discriminant analysis was used to compare s cores related to areas and properties among the samples. This comparis on produced higher scores of single measured variables in most areas a nd properties leagued to the Mexican sample. Implications, scope, and limitations of this study are discussed.