Emotional Affinity toward Nature as a Motivational Basis to Protect Nature

1999/03/01 by Elisabeth Kals, Daniel Schumacher, Leo Montada · 1,243 citations
Environmental Science · Mathematics · Psychology · #Animal and Plant Science Education #Cognition #Cognitive psychology #Computer science #Construct (python library) #Developmental psychology #Environmental Education and Sustainability #Indignation #Mathematics #Path analysis (statistics) #Psychology #Social psychology #Statistics #Urban Green Space and Health #Variance (accounting)

paper · doi:10.1177/00139169921972056

published in Environment and Behavior 31(2), 178-202 (SAGE Publishing)

openalex publication_date 1999/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

Nature-protective behavior cannot be sufficiently explained using a pure rational/cognitive approach. Therefore, in a questionnaire study ( N = 281), the focus was on emotional motivations of this behavior, especially on a newly conceptualized construct: emotional affinity toward nature. All constructs were measured by reliable and valid scales. Multiple regression analyses reveal that (a) emotional affinity is as powerful to predict nature-protective behavior as indignation and interest in nature and together these three predictors explain up to 47% of variance of the criterion variables, and (b) 39% of emotional affinity toward nature traces back to present and past experiences in natural environments. The resulting integrative path model is discussed. Theoretical conclusions are drawn, and options for practical intervention are derived.

Citations

• Value Orientations, Gender, and Environmental Concern

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