Naturalistic Intelligence Among Undergraduate Students: A Study on Environmental Sensitivity in Higher Education

Darakhshan Sadaf and Prof. Adam Paul Patteti
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Darakhshan Sadaf: Manuu Satellite Campus, Cte – Darbhanga
Prof. Adam Paul Patteti: Manuu Satellite Campus, Cte – Darbhanga

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 2025, vol. 12, issue 7, 1040-1044

Abstract: In the wake of intensifying global environmental crises such as climate change, ecological degradation, and biodiversity loss the cultivation of environmental sensitivity among youth has become a critical imperative for higher education. Naturalistic Intelligence, conceptualized by Gardner (1999) as the ability to recognize and classify elements of the natural world while demonstrating ecological awareness, offers a vital lens through which educational institutions can foster sustainability-oriented thinking. This study examines the levels and dimensions of Naturalistic Intelligence among undergraduate students in Bihar, India, highlighting its role in shaping environmentally responsible attitudes. The findings reveal that a considerable proportion of students exhibit moderate to high levels of naturalistic awareness, particularly in the domains of Sensory Awareness and Environmental Stewardship, indicating an emerging, albeit surface-level, ecological consciousness. The relatively low engagement in Cultural-Historical Connections and Personal Reflection suggests a disconnect from deeper environmental meaning-making. A significant gender-based variation was observed in favor of male students, while no notable differences emerged across academic stream or residential background. By advancing Naturalistic Intelligence within educational frameworks, universities can play a transformative role in fostering planetary stewardship among future generations.

Date: 2025
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