Invited talk on current research investigating factors that influence pro-environmental behaviors and attitudes. Talk presented at Indiana University, South Bend, Nov. 2008.
15. Women Men On the next several slides you will see typical male and female names. If the name is female, tap your left hand on the desk. If the name is male, tap your right hand on the desk .
26. Career Family On the next several slides you will see typical career and family roles. If the word is career, tap your left hand on the desk. If the word is home, tap your right hand on the desk.
42. Career or Male Family or Female On the next several slides you will see typical career and family roles, as well as names. Please categorize as you did before.
68. Career or Female Family or Male On the next several slides you will see typical career and family roles, as well as names. Please categorize as you did before
Abstract Conventional wisdom suggests that environmental education increases sustainable practices to lessen the negative impacts humans have on the environment. Yet, educational programs that encourage pro-environmental behaviors may be time consuming and cost prohibitive. Current research in environmental psychology suggests that the way in which people associate themselves to nature may be related to self-reported environmental conservation behaviors. In a series of experiments, we test this model of environmental perception and discover a nuanced view on how people relate themselves to the natural and built environment. Results from these experiments challenge current models of connectedness with nature, which view implicit associations with nature as a dispositional trait. We offer an alternative model on connectedness with nature that accounts for contextual factors (e.g., meteorological conditions, seasonal variations) that influence people’s perceptions of nature. In addition, we explore how simple design aspects in the workplace may dramatically affect recycling compliance. Theoretical and practical implications regarding human perceptions about the natural and built environment are discussed.