Keywords
connectedness to nature
sustainable behavior
pro-ecological behavior
altruism
frugality
equity
sustainable behavior
pro-ecological behavior
altruism
frugality
equity
How to Cite
García Vázquez , F. I. ., Durón Ramos , M. F. ., & Corral Verdugo, V. . (2016). Connectedness to nature and sustainable behavior: A path towards pro-social and pro-environmental behaviors . Psicumex, 6(2), 81–96. https://doi.org/10.36793/psicumex.v6i2.289
Abstract
Grounded on the idea that connectedness to nature is essential to facing environmental problems, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the hypothesis that people who perceive a greater sense of connectedness with nature will practice more sustainable behaviors (SB) Previous studies had reported that this sense of connectedness might enhance the practice of pro-environmental behaviors. Yet, so far no study considering the relationship between an aggregate of the four instances of SB (pro-ecological, altruistic, frugal and equitable behaviors) and connectedness to nature, had been conducted. Two hundred seventy-seven individuals at the city of Hermosillo, Mexico responded to an instrument assessing the four instances of SB, as well as a connectedness to nature scale. A structural equation model revealed a significant relation between connectedness to nature and SB, which suggests that people with higher connection to nature will practice more pro-environmental but also pro-social behaviors. Further studies, in which this connectedness and its implications are studied more deeply, are required.
References
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Hernández, S. R., Fernández, C. C., & Baptista, L. P. (2010). Metodología de la investigación. México: McGraw-Hill.
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Melson, G. F. (2001). Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Müller, M. M., Kals, E., & Pansa, R. (2009). Adolescents' emotional affinity towards nature: A cross-societal study. Journal of Developmental Processes, 4(1), 59-69.
Nhat Hahn, T. (1999). Interbeing: Fourteen guidelines for engaged Buddhism. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press.
Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking Individuals' Connection with Nature to Environmental Concern and Behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41, 715-740.
Oberkircher, L., Shanafield, M., Ismailova, B., & Saito, L. (2011). Ecosystem and Social Construction: an Interdisciplinary Case Study of the Shurkul Lake Landscape in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Ecology & Society, 16, 1-10.
Olivos, P., Aragonés, J. I., & Amérigo, M. (2011). The connectedness with nature scale and its relationship with environmental beliefs and identity. International Journal of Hispanic Psychology, 4, 5-20.
Olivos, P, Aragonés, J, & Navarro, O. (2013). Educación ambiental: itinerario en la naturaleza y su relación con conectividad, preocupaciones ambientales y conducta. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 45, 503-513.
Olson, J., & Zanna, M. (1993). Attitudes and attitude change. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 117-154.
Schmuck, P., & Schultz, P. W. (2002). Psychology of sustainable development. Boston: Kluwer Academic.
Schroeder, H. W. (2002). Experiencing nature in special places. Surveys in the north-central region. Journal of Forestry, 100, 8-14.
Schultz, P. W. (2000). Empathizing with nature: The effects of perspective taking concern for environmental issues. Journal of Social Issues, 56, 391-406.
Schultz, P. W. (2001). Assessing the structure of environmental concern: Concern for self, other people, and the biosphere. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21, 1-13.
Schultz, P. W. (2002). Inclusion with nature: The psychology of human-nature relations. En P. Schmuck & P. W. Schultz (Eds.), Psychology of Sustainable Development, (pp 61-78). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.
Schultz, P.W., C. Shriver, J. J. Tabanico, & A. M. Khazian. (2004). Implicit connections with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology
24, 31-42.
Tapia, C., Corral, V., Fraijo, B., & Durón, F. (2013). Assessing sustainable behavior and its correlates: a measure of pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic and equitable actions. Sustainability, 5, 711-723.
Tapia, C., Fraijo, B., Corral, V., Gutiérrez, C., & Tirado, H. (2006). Validación de una escala de orientación hacia la sustentabilidad. En B. Fraijo, B., S. Echeverría & C. Tapia (Eds.), Desierto y Mar. Estudios sociales en Sonora, Cd Obregón. México: Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora.
Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the self: The making of the modern identity. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Wells, N., & Lekies, K. (2006). Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences to adult environmentalism. Children, Youth and Environments, 16, 1-24.
Wilson, E. O. (1983). Biophilia and the conservation ethic. En S. R. Kellert & E. O. Wilson (Eds), The biophilia hipótesis. Washington: Island Pres.
Clayton, P. H. (1998). Connection on the ice: Environmental ethics in theory and practice. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
Clayton, S. (2003). Environmental identity: A conceptual and an operational definition. En S. Clayton & S. Opotow (Eds.), Identity and the natural environment (pp. 45-65). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Corral, V. (2010). Psicología de la sustentabilidad: un análisis de lo que nos hace pro ecológicos y pro sociales. México, D. F: Trillas.
Corral, V. (2012). Sustentabilidad y psicología positiva: Una visión optimista de las conductas proambientales y prosociales. México: Manual Moderno.
Corral, V., & Pinheiro, V. (2004). Aproximaciones al estudio de la conducta sustentable. Medio Ambiente y Comportamiento Humano, 5, 1-26.
Corral, V., Tapia, C., Fraijo, B., Mireles, J., & Márquez, P. (2008). Orientación a la sustentabilidad como determinante de los estilos de vida sustentables: un estudio con una muestra mexicana. Revista Mexicana de Psicología, 25, 313-327.
Corral, V., Tapia, C., Frías, M., Fraijo, B., & González, D. (2009). Orientación a la sostenibilidad como base para el comportamiento pro-social y pro-ecológico. Medio ambiente y Comportamiento Humano, 10(3), 195-215. Cronon, W. (1995). Uncommon ground: Toward reinventing nature. New York: W.W. Norton & Co.
Davis, J. L., Green, J. D., & Reed, A. (2009). Interdependence with the environment: Commitment, interconnectedness, and environmental behavior. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 29(2), 173-180.
De Young, R. (1991). Some psychological aspects of living lightly: Desired lifestyle patterns and conservation behavior. Journal of Environmental Systems, 20(3), 215-227.
Dutcher, D., Finley, J., Luloff, A. E., & Johnson, J. (2007). Connectivity With Nature as a Measure of Environmental Values. Environment and Behavior, 39(4), 474-493.
Fisher, A. (2002). Radical ecopsychology: Psychology in the service of life. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press.
Frantz, C., Mayer, F. S., Norton, C., & Rock, M. (2005). There is no “I” in nature: The influence of self-awareness on connectedness to nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 25(4), 427-436.
García, M. Estévez, I., & Letamendía, P. (2007). El CUIDA como instrumento para la valoración de la personalidad en la evaluación de adoptantes, cuidadores, tutores y mediadores. Intervención. Psicosocial, 16, 393-407.
Gelter, H. (2000). Friluftsliv: The Scandinavian Philosophy of Outdoor Life. Canadian Journal of Environmental Education, 5, 77-92.
Hedlund, W. A., DeBoer, J., & Boersema, J. J. (2014). Exploring inner and outer worlds: A quantitative study of worldviews, environmental attitudes, and sustainable lifestyles. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 37, 40-54.
Hernández, S. R., Fernández, C. C., & Baptista, L. P. (2010). Metodología de la investigación. México: McGraw-Hill.
Hinds, J., & Sparks, P. (2008). Engaging with the natural environment: The role of affective connection and identity. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 28, 2, 109-120.
I-Chun, T., William, C. S., & Chun-Yen, C. (2014). Perceptual Evaluation of Natural Landscapes: The Role of the Individual Connection to Nature. Environment and Behavior, 47(6), 595-617.
Kaiser, F. (1998). A general measure of ecological behavior. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 28, 395-442.
Kaiser, F., & Wilson, M. (2000). Assessing people’s general ecological behaviour: a cross-cultural measure. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 30, 952-978.
Kellert, S. R. (1997). Kinship to mastery: Biophilia in human evolution and development. Washington, DC: Island Press.
Leary, M. R., Tipsord, J. M., & Tate, E. B. (2008). Allo-inclusive identity: Incorporating the social and natural worlds into one’s sense of self. En H. Wayment, & J. Bauer (Eds.), Transcending self-interest: Psychological explorations of the quiet ego (pp. 137-147). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Levi, D., & Kocher, S. (1999). Virtual Nature: The Future Effects of Information Technology on Our Relationship to Nature. Environment and Behavior, 31, 203-226.
Maller, C., Townsend, M., St. Leger, L., Henderson-Wilson, C., Pryor, A., Prosser, L., & Moore, M. (2008). Healthy parks, healthy people: The health benefits of contact with naturein a park context. Melbourne, Australia: Deakin University & Parks Victoria.
Mayer, S. F & Frantz, C. M. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale a measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology 24, 505–515.
Melson, G. F. (2001). Why the Wild Things Are: Animals in the Lives of Children. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Müller, M. M., Kals, E., & Pansa, R. (2009). Adolescents' emotional affinity towards nature: A cross-societal study. Journal of Developmental Processes, 4(1), 59-69.
Nhat Hahn, T. (1999). Interbeing: Fourteen guidelines for engaged Buddhism. Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press.
Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking Individuals' Connection with Nature to Environmental Concern and Behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41, 715-740.
Oberkircher, L., Shanafield, M., Ismailova, B., & Saito, L. (2011). Ecosystem and Social Construction: an Interdisciplinary Case Study of the Shurkul Lake Landscape in Khorezm, Uzbekistan. Ecology & Society, 16, 1-10.
Olivos, P., Aragonés, J. I., & Amérigo, M. (2011). The connectedness with nature scale and its relationship with environmental beliefs and identity. International Journal of Hispanic Psychology, 4, 5-20.
Olivos, P, Aragonés, J, & Navarro, O. (2013). Educación ambiental: itinerario en la naturaleza y su relación con conectividad, preocupaciones ambientales y conducta. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 45, 503-513.
Olson, J., & Zanna, M. (1993). Attitudes and attitude change. Annual Review of Psychology, 44, 117-154.
Schmuck, P., & Schultz, P. W. (2002). Psychology of sustainable development. Boston: Kluwer Academic.
Schroeder, H. W. (2002). Experiencing nature in special places. Surveys in the north-central region. Journal of Forestry, 100, 8-14.
Schultz, P. W. (2000). Empathizing with nature: The effects of perspective taking concern for environmental issues. Journal of Social Issues, 56, 391-406.
Schultz, P. W. (2001). Assessing the structure of environmental concern: Concern for self, other people, and the biosphere. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 21, 1-13.
Schultz, P. W. (2002). Inclusion with nature: The psychology of human-nature relations. En P. Schmuck & P. W. Schultz (Eds.), Psychology of Sustainable Development, (pp 61-78). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.
Schultz, P.W., C. Shriver, J. J. Tabanico, & A. M. Khazian. (2004). Implicit connections with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology
24, 31-42.
Tapia, C., Corral, V., Fraijo, B., & Durón, F. (2013). Assessing sustainable behavior and its correlates: a measure of pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic and equitable actions. Sustainability, 5, 711-723.
Tapia, C., Fraijo, B., Corral, V., Gutiérrez, C., & Tirado, H. (2006). Validación de una escala de orientación hacia la sustentabilidad. En B. Fraijo, B., S. Echeverría & C. Tapia (Eds.), Desierto y Mar. Estudios sociales en Sonora, Cd Obregón. México: Instituto Tecnológico de Sonora.
Taylor, C. (1989). Sources of the self: The making of the modern identity. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Wells, N., & Lekies, K. (2006). Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences to adult environmentalism. Children, Youth and Environments, 16, 1-24.
Wilson, E. O. (1983). Biophilia and the conservation ethic. En S. R. Kellert & E. O. Wilson (Eds), The biophilia hipótesis. Washington: Island Pres.
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