Affective and experiential factors in human-natural environment relationships.
Year: 2008
Type: dissertation
Abstract: This thesis assesses the importance of the interplay between affect and experience in human-natural-environment relationships. More specifically, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, it addresses the argument that experience of the natural environment promotes both affective well-being and positive environmental attitudes. The first study (N = 199), using an application of the theory of planned behaviour, demonstrates the importance of affective connection in predicting peoples' intentions to engage with the natural environment, as well as suggesting that early exposure to the natural environment can.be important for holding more positive orientations towards it. The second study (N= 75) used a qualitative methodology for the elicitation of responses to being in the natural environment. Regression analyses were also used to determine that environmental affect was predicted by experience and not personality. The third study (N = 90) maps perceptions of various types of natural environment onto a two-factor representation of related experiential states, thus demonstrating the different experiential associatio?s of each environment. Furthermore, greater experience of environments was associated with more positive experiential states and more positive attitudinal ratings ofthem. The subsequent two studies comprised samples participating in actual, natural-environment experiences. Study 4 (N = 91) found that in comparison to a control.group, a group experiencing the natural environment had stronger environmental identities, greater selfactualisation and improved attitudes towards outdoor activities. Study 5 '(N = 5), using in-depth interviews, supports the contentions of Study 4 in that experience of the natural environment can positively influence aspects of well-being and environmental attitudes. These findings, with that of the programme of research generally, indicate the benefits of experience of the natural environment in building more positive relationships with it. The benefits of such encounters, in terms of affective aspects of psychological well-being, are also apparent.
Author: Joe Hinds
Language: English
Topic: Urban Green Space and Health
Subfield: Urban Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2480446534