The Lamm Lab celebrated the end of a successful year in 2023 by publishing the final article in its research series on systems thinking. Authors Allison Byrd, Kristin Gibson, Katie Sanders, Rachel Corry, Kevan Lamm, and Alexa Lamm published a peer-reviewed manuscript in the Journal of Agricultural Education exploring the associations between undergraduate Generation Z (Gen Z) students’ environmentally friendly purchasing values and their systems thinking tendencies.
Specifically, the study was focused on Gen Z, a generational cohort born roughly between 1995 and 2012 who possess a particular affinity for preserving the natural environment. Lamm Lab members wanted to know if Gen Z undergraduate students’ green attitudes and purchasing behaviors could be used to help students have a systems thinking mindset.
Systems thinking is a cognitive approach that perceives complex systems as interconnected and interdependent. University graduates entering the workforce of an increasingly complex global food system will need to have the ability to draw connections between various disciplines and industries. Therefore, colleges of agriculture should equip their students with the ability to utilize systems thinking during decision-making processes.
However, the literature surrounding systems thinking and teaching it in the classroom is fairly limited. Therefore, this study sought to see if there was an association between students environmentally friendly consumption values (using the GREEN scale) and their systems thinking tendencies (using a systems thinking scale). Researchers surveyed undergraduate students enrolled in classes in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia as part of a larger systems thinking study in which students navigated through “choose your own adventure” systems thinking scenarios and then discussed their experiences in focus groups.
Analysis of the results revealed students tended to largely possess green consumer values. The majority were concerned about wasting planetary resources and considered themselves environmentally responsible. According to survey responses, students often used systems thinking when trying to make a decision, and the majority understood the importance of considering a chain of events before making a decision. Overall, a statistically significant, positive, weak association existed between students’ green consumer values and their systems thinking tendencies.
The association between the two concepts signals researchers to further explore the connection between Gen Z students’ values and their abilities to think systematically while incorporating systems thinking into the undergraduate agricultural classroom. By recognizing and harnessing inherent qualities, educators can create a learning environment that aligns with the preferences of this generation and equips them with the skills and values needed to tackle the complex challenges of the future. Understanding and embracing the characteristics of Generation Z will undoubtedly pave the way for a more sustainable and interconnected future in the evolving landscape of education.
To read more about the study’s implications, read the full article here.
