Connections with Nature and Environmental Behaviors

Abstract

The influence of environmental attitudes on environmental behaviors has long been discussed. However, few studies have addressed the foundation of such attitudes. In the present study, we explored primitive belief underlying environmental attitudes, i.e., connections with nature, and its relationship with pro-environmental behaviors. Specifically, we used scales, a computerized Implicit Association Test, and a situational simulation experiment to examine both explicit and implicit connections with nature, both deliberate and spontaneous environmental behaviors, and to find correlations between environmental connectedness and environmental behaviors. Results showed that explicit connectedness was positively correlated with deliberate environmental behaviors, while implicit connectedness was positively correlated with spontaneous environmental behaviors. Additionally, explicit and implicit connectedness was independent of each other. In conclusion, the current study confirms the positive role played by connections with nature in promoting environmental behavior, and accordingly suggests means to encourage pro-environmental behavior by enhancing people’s connectedness to nature.

Mindful learning can promote connectedness to nature: Implicit and explicit evidence

“…In the future, mindful learning can be implemented in schools, for example, to incorporate interactions between humans and nature in daily life (Bruni et al, 2008), to promote pro-environmental characteristics (Lieflander et al, 2013), and to contribute to the development of implicit connectedness to nature. One recent study has reported an association between a more valid implicit measure predicting spontaneous pro-environmental behavior (Geng et al, 2015). Mindful learning, therefore, may promote positive and long-term effects on pro-environmental behavior.…”

“…The CNS's testretest consistency and prediction for environmental behavior prove its reliability and validity (Mayer & Frantz, 2004). In our study, a simple Chinese version of the CNS was used (Geng, Xu, Ye, Zhou, & Zhou, 2015). Participants were required to rate items on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree).…”

“…Greenwald, McGhee, and Schwartz (1998) developed the implicit-association test (IAT) to measure concept-attribute associations through the comparison of reaction times when responding to different pairs. Previous work has proven the feasibility of the IAT to assess implicit connectedness to nature (Geng et al, 2015;Schultz & Tabanico, 2007;Schultz et al, 2004). Schultz et al (2004) first developed a modified IAT to measure the level of connectedness to nature and reported acceptable reliability and validity.…”

“…Using this IAT, they later conducted five studies which suggested the malleability of implicit self-nature associations (Schultz & Tabanico, 2007). Recent research has further shown that an implicit connectedness to nature is positively correlated with spontaneous pro-environmental behavior (Geng et al, 2015).…”

Factors Influencing Public-Sphere Pro-Environmental Behavior among Mongolian College Students: A Test of Value–Belief–Norm Theory

“…In recent years, increasing numbers of studies have addressed this topic in China given growing awareness of worsening environmental conditions in the last decade. Most of these pioneering studies were conducted in developed areas of China, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Nanjing, and focused on students' pro-environmental behavior in the private sphere [19][20][21]. Little empirical research exists on minority college students in the undeveloped western areas of China.…”