Exploring French adolescents’ and adults’ comprehension of the greenhouse effect
Résumé
The aim of the present study was to gain an insight into French young people’s
conceptual development regarding the greenhouse effect. Because this effect cannot
be directly manipulated, we can assume that its conceptualization is mainly
shaped through the sharing of information. Eighty French students from Grade
Seven through to adulthood responded to statements in a questionnaire on the
greenhouse effect’s causes, consequences and solutions. Unlike in previous studies,
participants were asked to justify their choices, as some of the statements
were quite complex. Results showed that performances improved with grade,
mainly between Grade Nine and adulthood, although participants continued to
have a weaker grasp of the causes of the greenhouse effect than of its
consequences and solutions. Participants’ justifications also showed that they
misunderstood some of the statements.