Where do biospheric values come from? A connectedness to nature perspective. (October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martin, Christian; Czellar, Sandor
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental psychology. Volume 52(2017)
• Page Start: 56
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2017-10
• Subjects: Biospheric values -- Environmental values -- Self-nature connection -- Environmental identity -- Sustainable behavior; Environmental psychology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2017.04.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-4944

Abstract

Abstract: While extant research suggests that holding biospheric values may foster environmentally friendly behavior, we need to learn more about the development of such values at an individual level. Our conceptual framework proposes that individual environmental identity could play a role in the formation of a biospheric value orientation. We conducted two cross-sectional surveys (N = 494, N = 107) and a quasi-experimental study (N = 271) in the US and Europe and with demographically different samples to investigate this conceptual linkage. Our findings show that stronger (vs. weaker) self-nature connections in individuals are related to stronger (vs. weaker) biospheric value orientations, which in turn are associated with various forms of sustainable behavior. Our research links two major literature streams in environmental psychology (i.e., research on self-nature connections and biospheric values) by proposing a developmental account of the relations between environmental identity and relevant values. Highlights: Research suggests that biospheric values may foster environmentally friendly behavior. We need to learn more about the development of biospheric values at an individual level. Our framework proposes that self-nature connection facilitates the formation of biospheric values. Enabling people to (re)connect with nature might be a valuable aspect of public policy programs.