Exploring the Relationship between Critical Thinking Style and Water Conservation Behavior: Implications for Extension

In the past several years Cooperative Extension has focused on developing educational programs that address water conservation, specifically for individuals using exorbitant amounts of water, with limited success. However, few research studies have examined how the way people think, including their critical thinking styles, can be used to inform extension program development. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in the literature by examining how people who use a lot of water think critically and whether their critical thinking style influenced their engagement in water conservation (or lack thereof). Responses were obtained from 932 Florida residents identified as high water users via an online survey. The findings revealed respondents engaged in a low level of landscape water conservation behaviors. The results also showed relationships did exist between critical thinking style and level of engagement in landscape water conservation behaviors implying critical thinking styles should be considered when developing extension programs in this area. Recommendations include using critical thinking style to tailor programs that bring educational awareness of landscape water conservation to high water users.