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The Balanced Structure of Environmental Identity

Author

Listed:
  • Coral M. Bruni

    (Division of Behavioral and Organizational Science, Department of Psychology, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA 91711, USA)

  • P. Wesley Schultz

    (Department of Psychology, California State University, San Marcos, CA 92096, USA)

  • Anna Woodcock

    (Department of Psychology, California State University, San Marcos, CA 92096, USA)

Abstract

Connectedness with nature refers to an individual’s beliefs about their relationship with the natural environment. The current paper integrates connectedness with nature into a broader framework of balanced identity theory as a form of self-concept, and presents new data showing that individuals tend toward balanced-congruity and hold cognitive configurations that balance self-concept, environmental attitudes, and self-esteem. In essence, when an individual scores highly on one of these constructs, it is likely that they will score highly on the other two constructs. Two hundred and seventy-six undergraduate students completed explicit and implicit measures of connectedness with nature, attitudes toward nature, and self-esteem. The balanced-congruity principle was supported with implicit measures (e.g., Implicit Association Test), but not explicitly with self-report measures. Results suggest that attitudes toward nature, connectedness with nature, and self-esteem form a balanced triadic structure of implicit environmental identity. The findings extend our understanding of connectedness with nature, by integrating it into a broader framework that links connectedness, attitudes, and self-esteem as a triadic form of environmental identity. This finding has important implications for practitioners interested in fostering environmental identities and promoting sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Coral M. Bruni & P. Wesley Schultz & Anna Woodcock, 2021. "The Balanced Structure of Environmental Identity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8168-:d:598762
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthias Winfried Kleespies & Tina Braun & Paul Wilhelm Dierkes & Volker Wenzel, 2021. "Measuring Connection to Nature—A Illustrated Extension of the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Dorota Domalewska, 2021. "A Longitudinal Analysis of the Creation of Environmental Identity and Attitudes towards Energy Sustainability Using the Framework of Identity Theory and Big Data Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-12, January.
    3. Alison Pritchard & Miles Richardson & David Sheffield & Kirsten McEwan, 2020. "The Relationship Between Nature Connectedness and Eudaimonic Well-Being: A Meta-analysis," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1145-1167, March.
    4. Victoria Hurth, 2010. "Creating sustainable identities: the significance of the financially affluent self," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 18(3), pages 123-134.
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