The Relationship between Ecological Sensitivity and Preferences for Animals of Pre-service Elementary Teachers

This study investigates the relationship between ecological sensitivity and animal preference among prospective elementary school teachers, aiming to inform future ecological education and teacher training programs. Results showed no significant gender differences in ecological sensitivity, with both males and females demonstrating similar scores across attitudinal and cognitive domains. Pet ownership experience also had no significant effect on ecological sensitivity, although some differences in animal preference— particularly for penguins, magpies, and turtles—were observed. A significant correlation was found between ecological sensitivity (especially in attitudinal and affective domains) and preferences for less popular animal groups, such as amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates. These findings highlight the role of emotional empathy in shaping ecological attitudes. Additionally, strong intergroup correlations among animal preferences suggest that affinity for one species may extend to related groups. Group-level analysis revealed that male participants with pet experience showed the highest sensitivity and animal preference, while females without pet experience scored lowest. This implies that personal background may influence ecological attitudes more than gender or pet ownership alone. Overall, the findings emphasize the need for personalized ecological education that fosters emotional engagement with a wide range of animal species.