A measure of nature connectedness for children and adults: Validation, performance, and insights

With benefits to both human well-being and pro-nature conservation behaviors, nature connectedness is emerging as an important psychological construct for a sustainable future. The growing research and applied and policy-related interests require a straightforward measure of nature connectedness that is suitable for both children and adult populations. To establish the reliability of the new Nature Connection Index (NCI) three factor analyses were conducted. One was based on a large Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) dataset for adults (n = 3568) with a replication from data sets collected online (n = 553), and a third used MENE data from children (n = 351). To validate the NCI as a measure for nature connectedness an online comparison study (n = 153) included the NCI alongside other established measures. The results showed that the NCI was a reliable and valid scale that offers a short, simple alternative to other measures of nature connectedness, particularly for populations including both children and adults, measured face to face or online. The utility of the NCI is also supported, with variations associated with various pro-environmental and pro-conservation behaviors observed, and importantly the NCI also revealed changes in nature connectedness across the lifespan.N/

Self-control, goal interference, and the binge-watching experience: An event reconstruction study

High-speed internet connections and online streaming services gave rise to the possibility to binge-watch multiple television shows in one sitting. Binge-watching can be characterized as a problematic behavior but also as an enjoyable way to engage with television shows. This study investigates whether self-control explains the valence of binge-watching experiences as measured using the event reconstruction method. The study tests whether lower levels of trait self-control predict higher levels of negative affect and lower levels of positive affect during binge-watching. Additionally, the study tests whether these relationships are mediated by situational aspects of self-control (plans, goal interference, or automaticity). Regression analyses show that participants with higher trait self-control report lower levels of tiredness, boredom, guilt, and sadness when binge-watching compared to less self-controlled participants. These associations are partly explained by binge-watching interfering less with higher order goals for highly self-controlled participants. Lower levels of trait self-control are also associated with a stronger increase in happiness on initiating binge-watching and increased feelings of guilt after binge-watching. Overall, the study suggests that binge-watching is particularly pleasant when it does not interfere with other goals, which is more likely the case for individuals with high trait self-control

What can we do for nature? A systematic research approach to pro-nature conservation behaviours

Nature is in trouble. The current levels of anthropogenic biodiversity loss have been classed by experts as a mass extinction. This is likely to have grave consequences for humanity. However, with humanity causing the biodiversity loss, it can also be fought by humanity, presuming action is taken. Research is needed on which actions can be taken by the wider public and how people can be encouraged to do so. There is a multitude of literature on general pro-environmental behaviours, however, conservation practitioners lament the lack of research on nature specific actions. This thesis set out to create a systematic research approach to those nature specific actions which were named pro-nature conservation behaviours. Based on research in pro-environmental behaviours, four steps to this research were set: (1) Defining and measuring the behaviour; (2) Understanding the antecedents of the behaviour; (3) Developing targeted interventions; (4) Evaluating the interventions. This thesis completed the first step and provided some first insights into the second step. Pro-nature conservation behaviours were defined based on both their ecological impact on nature and their goal orientation, meaning they need to objectively support nature conservation and subjectively be done by people with the aim to support nature conservation. An expert ranked list of possible behaviours was created, including small actions that one can take in their own garden as well as more politically driven actions, such as contacting local government about nature conservation issues. Then, using psychometric methods, a questionnaire scale measuring tool, the Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviour Scale (ProCoBS), was developed and validated. This resulted in a long and short form for adults, as well as a child version including only behaviours accessible to people under the ages of 16-18. The scale was found to have two subscales, one concerning behaviours in the garden and the other one civil actions. An overview of the adoption of pro-nature conservation behaviours in the public and influences of some demographic factors showed that while there is engagement, this could be improved and demographic variables impact behaviour. For example, women acted more often than men and people living rurally acted more often than people living in urban areas. Age also had an impact, interestingly showing different directions depending on the subscale. Finally, the influences of variables known from general behavioural research as well as research on pro-environmental behaviours on pro-nature conservation behaviours were examined. Based on the findings the efficiency of focusing on the so-called Value-Action gap was questioned, suggesting the Intention-Behaviour Gap to be more easily bridged. Further, it was shown that both an approach building on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, as well as an approach centring nature connectedness, could provide worthwhile insights into pro-nature conservation behaviours. Here, again, slight differences between the subscales were found. Connecting people to nature could be a key step in the efforts to protect biodiversity. Future research may profit from focusing not only on how to use nature connectedness to encourage pro-nature conservation behaviours but also how pro-nature conservation behaviours can improve nature connectedness.AlpKi

An Expert Ranked List of Pro-nature Conservation Behaviours for Public Use

The planet is facing an anthropogenic mass extinction of wildlife, which will have a grave impact on the environment and humans. Widespread human action is needed to minimize the negative impact of humans on biodiversity and support the restoration of wildlife. In order to find effective ways to promote pro-nature conservation behaviours to the general population, there is a need to provide a list of behaviours which will have worthwhile ecological impact and are worth encouraging. In a novel collaboration between psychologists and ecologists, 70 experts from practical and academic conservation backgrounds were asked to review and rate 48 conservation related behaviours. According to their judgement, this short paper presents a ranked list of pro-nature conservation behaviours for the public in the UK and similar landscapes. This includes behaviours people can engage in in their homes, their gardens, on their land, and in their roles as citizens

An Expert Ranked List of Pro-nature Conservation Behaviours for Public Use

The planet is facing an anthropogenic mass extinction of wildlife, which will have a grave impact on the environment and humans. Widespread human action is needed to minimize the negative impact of humans on biodiversity and support the restoration of wildlife. In order to find effective ways to promote pro-nature conservation behaviours to the general population, there is a need to provide a list of behaviours which will have worthwhile ecological impact and are worth encouraging. In a novel collaboration between psychologists and ecologists, 70 experts from practical and academic conservation backgrounds were asked to review and rate 48 conservation related behaviours. According to their judgement, this short paper presents a ranked list of pro-nature conservation behaviours for the public in the UK and similar landscapes. This includes behaviours people can engage in in their homes, their gardens, on their land, and in their roles as citizens

Measuring actions for nature—development and validation of a pro-nature conservation behaviour scale

Scientists have classed the ongoing decline in biodiversity—caused by humans—as a mass extinction. To mitigate the consequences of this extinction, immediate action is of the utmost importance. However, effective ways of promoting pro-nature conservation behaviours to preserve and enhance biodiversity require better understanding and measurement. Thus, a reliable and valid measurement tool is needed. While there are measurement tools for general pro-environmental behaviours, as of yet, no measure of behaviours that specifically promote biodiversity exists. Here, we present such a tool: the Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviour Scale (ProCoBS), a psychometrically validated questionnaire scale measuring active behaviours that specifically support the conservation of biodiversity. An item pool developed through consultation with wildlife and biodiversity experts was subjected to psychometric scale development analyses. Data from 300 participants were used to develop the 18-item ProCoBS long form, as well as an 8-item short form. A latent variable model with four factors (Individual Engagement, Social Engagement, Planting, and Wildlife) was identified. In a second study, a subset of 250 of the original participants answered the questionnaire again, in addition to related psychological constructs. The data were used to assess test–retest reliability and construct validity. Results showed that the scale and its short form were reliable (full scale: α = 0.893, short form: α = 0.825) and valid. In a third study, a representative sample of 1298 adults in the UK completed the short form. Confirmatory Factor Analysis demonstrated a good fit for all factors, indicating that the ProCoBS is a psychometrically robust measure. The ProCoBS provides the definitive, much needed tool for measuring conservation behaviours. This will enhance research and impact practical work in the conservation domain for a sustainable future. A cross-cultural examination of the scale is still needed. View Full-TextUniversity of Derb

The green care code: How nature connectedness and simple activities help explain pro‐nature conservation behaviours

The biodiversity crisis demands greater engagement in pro‐nature conservation behaviours. Research has examined factors which account for general pro‐environmental behaviour; that is, behaviour geared to minimizing one's impact on the environment. Yet, a dearth of research exists examining factors that account for pro‐nature conservation behaviour specifically—behaviour that directly and actively supports conservation of biodiversity. This study is the first of its kind to use a validated scale of pro‐nature conservation behaviour. Using online data from a United Kingdom population survey of 1,298 adults (16+ years), we examined factors (composed of nine variable‐blocks of items) that accounted for pro‐nature conservation behaviour. These were: individual characteristics (demographics, nature connectedness), nature experiences (time spent in nature, engaging with nature through simple activities, indirect engagement with nature), knowledge and attitudes (knowledge/study of nature, valuing and concern for nature) and pro‐environmental behaviour. Together, these explained 70% of the variation in people's actions for nature. Importantly, in a linear regression examining the relative importance of these variables to the prediction of pro‐nature conservation behaviour, time in nature did not emerge as significant. Engaging in simple nature activities (which is related to nature connectedness) emerged as the largest significant contributor to pro‐nature conservation behaviour. Commonality analysis revealed that variables worked together, with nature connectedness and engagement in simple activities being involved in the largest portion of explained variance. Overall, findings from the current study reinforce the critical role that having a close relationship with nature through simple everyday engagement plays in pro‐nature conservation behaviour. Policy recommendations are made.n/