Conservation Psychology

People are inseparable from natural ecosystems, and
understanding how people think about, experience, and interact with
nature is crucial for promoting environmental sustainability as
well as human well-being.

This is the new edition of what is now the leading textbook in
conservation psychology, the field that explores connections
between the study of human behavior and the achievement of
conservation goals. Completely

updated, this book summarizes theory and research on ways in which
humans experience nature; it explores people's conceptions of
nature and environmental problems, their relationship with nature,
and their moral lenses on nature; and examines ways to encourage
conservation-oriented behavior at both individual and societal
levels. Throughout, the authors integrate a wide body of research
demonstrating the role of psychology in promoting a more
sustainable relationship between humans and nature.

New sections cover human perceptions of environmental problems, new
examples of community-based conservation, and a "positive
psychology" perspective that emphasizes the relevance of
nature to human resilience. Additional references are to be found
throughout this edition along with some new examples and a
reorganisation of chapters in response to reader feedback.

This fascinating volume is used for teaching classes to senior
undergraduate and graduate students of Conservation Psychology,
Environmental Psychology and Conservation Science in departments of
Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science, and Ecology and
Evolution. It is equally suitable as a starting point for other
researchers and practitioners - psychologists, conservation
biologists, environmental scientists, and policy-makers - needing
to know more about how psychological research can inform their
conservation work.

Autorentext

Susan Clayton is Whitmore-Williams Professor of Psychology and Chair of Environmental Studies at the College of Wooster in Ohio, USA. She has served as president of the Society for Environmental, Population, and
Conservation Psychology and is president-elect of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues. Her research focuses on understanding and promoting concern about environmental issues. In particular, Clayton is interested in the ways in which a relationship with nature is promoted through social interactions, and has studied these interactions in zoo settings around the world.

Gene Myers is a Professor at Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University, where he offers courses in conservation psychology, environmental history and ethics, and teaches and advises in undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental education. He is a past president of the Society for Human Ecology. His research interests include the psychological foundations of children's relation to animals; the
ontogenetic development of environmental care and responsibility; the integration of positive psychology into conservation and sustainability practice; and the teaching of environmental ethics and the preparation of future environmental educators.

Klappentext

People are inseparable from natural ecosystems, and understanding how people think about, experience, and interact with nature is crucial for promoting environmental sustainability as well as human well-being.

This is the new edition of what is now the leading textbook in conservation psychology, the field that explores connections between the study of human behavior and the achievement of conservation goals. Completely
updated, this book summarizes theory and research on ways in which humans experience nature; it explores people's conceptions of nature and environmental problems, their relationship with nature, and their moral lenses on nature; and examines ways to encourage conservation-oriented behavior at both individual and societal levels. Throughout, the authors integrate a wide body of research demonstrating the role of psychology in promoting a more sustainable relationship between humans and nature.

New sections cover human perceptions of environmental problems, new examples of community-based conservation, and a positive psychology perspective that emphasizes the relevance of nature to human resilience. Additional references are to be found throughout this edition along with some new examples and a reorganisation of chapters in response to reader feedback.

This fascinating volume is used for teaching classes to senior undergraduate and graduate students of Conservation Psychology, Environmental Psychology and Conservation Science in departments of Psychology, Geography, Environmental Science, and Ecology and Evolution. It is equally suitable as a starting point for other researchers and practitioners - psychologists, conservation biologists, environmental scientists, and policy-makers - needing to know more about how psychological research can inform their conservation work.

Inhalt

Preface to the Second Edition xi

About the Companion Website xiii

1 Introducing the Field of Conservation Psychology 1

Conservation 2

Psychology 3

Human care for nature 5

The roots of conservation psychology 7

The utility of conservation psychology 8

The practice of conservation psychology 10

The organization of the book 11

Conclusion 12

For further information, visit these websites 13

References 13

Part I Human Experiences of Nature

2 Domestic Nature: Cohabiting with Animals and Plants 17

Animals in the home 17

History and variations in pet-keeping 18

Relationships with pets 19

Health and well-being effects of domestic animals 23

Social effects of companion animals 25

Robotic animals 27

Connections with nature 28

Plants in the domestic sphere 29

Effects of indoor plants 29

Window views of nature 31

Plant-facilitated therapy 31

Experience and effects of gardening 32

Conclusion 34

References 35

3 Managed Nature: Zoos, Aquariums, and Public Parks 41

Zoos and aquariums 42

Reasons for visiting 43

Visitors' experience of the zoo 45

Impact on environmental knowledge and concern 46

Maximizing the experience 48

Urban parks and green spaces 50

Parks and human well-being 52

Children and green space 53

Conclusion 55

References 55

4 Wild Nature: Encounters with Wilderness 60

Defining wild nature and wilderness 60

Wilderness use and wilderness values 62

Wilderness solitude 64

Natural forces and features 66

Wildfire 67

Natural disasters 67

Wild animals: attitudes and experience 69

The edge of control: wilderness remoteness and challenge 73

Activity in wild nature, connection, and caring 76

Wild nature and spiritual experience 78

Wilderness-based growth and therapeutic programs 81

Conclusion 82

References 83

Part II Thinking About Nature

5 Attitudes, Values, and Perceptions 93

Core understandings of nature 93

Values 94

Attitudes 98

Perceptions 101

Evolutionary perspectives 104

Conclusion 109

References 109

6 Perceptions of Environmental Problems 114

Risk perception 114

Biases in information processing 118

Language and discourse 120

Understanding environmental problems 121

Attributions of responsibility 124

Linking perceptions to behavior 125

Conclusion 126

References 127

7 Moral Psychology and the Environment 130

Background on ethical concepts 130

Social intuitionism and moral foundations theory 131

A virtue ethics of the environment 134

The deontic tradition and psychological research 141

Contextual differences in moral duties 145

Consequentialism, emotion, and socialization 147

Psychological dynamics of moral functioning 151

Pragmatist ethics 154

Conclusion 15…