From Oh to Aha: Characteristics and Types of Environmental Epiphany Experiences

Despite the anecdotal evidence of experiences that shift the self–nature relationship, which we identify as Environmental Epiphanies, little is known about the characteristics and patterns of such experiences. In this study, we build on previous theoretical and conceptual frameworks of the Environmental Epiphany concept and report descriptive and typological findings based on in-depth interviews with 50 participants who had experienced Environmental Epiphanies. We present common characteristics of these experiences as well as descriptive information across five types of Environmental Epiphanies: Aesthetic, Intellectual, Realization, Awakening, and Connectedness. Based on our findings, we offer many areas for further exploration of this phenomenon as a psychological function as well as some recommendations for land managers, educators, and other environmental practitioners. Expanding our knowledge of how human–nature relationships function has implications regarding environmental decision-making, the role of emotions in self–nature relationships, and environmentally responsible behavior

From oh to aha: Characteristics and types of environmental epiphany experiences

Despite the anecdotal evidence of experiences that shift the self–nature relationship, which we identify as Environmental Epiphanies, little is known about the characteristics and patterns of such experiences. In this study, we build on previous theoretical and conceptual frameworks of the Environmental Epiphany concept and report descriptive and typological findings based on in-depth interviews with 50 participants who had experienced Environmental Epiphanies. We present common characteristics of these experiences as well as descriptive information across five types of Environmental Epiphanies: Aesthetic, Intellectual, Realization, Awakening, and Connectedness. Based on our findings, we offer many areas for further exploration of this phenomenon as a psychological function as well as some recommendations for land managers, educators, and other environmental practitioners. Expanding our knowledge of how human–nature relationships function has implications regarding environmental decision-making, the role of emotions in self–nature relationships, and environmentally responsible behavior

Melting the ice: arctic tourists’ epiphanies and connections to wildlife

A key outcome for ecotourism is providing conservation benefits. These benefits are of particular concern when experiences include wildlife. One mechanism for delivering conservation benefits is tourists’ participation in pro-conservation behaviors (PCB). Conservation psychology provides a framework to understand how ecotourism experiences facilitate PCB. Environmental epiphanies (EE) and conservation caring are two constructs that can model the relationship between experiences and PCB. The purpose of this study was to explore (1) if arctic tourism is capable of stimulating an EE; (2) conservation caring levels, and (3) the relationship between EE and conservation caring. Data were obtained from 72 tourists aboard an arctic cruise. Thirty-nine percent experienced an EE during the trip. Tourists who experienced an EE had significantly higher conservation caring scores than those who did not experience an EE (p \u3c.01). Results support ecotourism experiences can connect people to nature, which in turn is a strong PCB predictor