Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles by Elizabeth Nisbet
Two studies tested whether nature (vs. built) photographs could increase participants' judgments ... more Two studies tested whether nature (vs. built) photographs could increase participants' judgments of environmental satisfaction and perceived quality of life. In Study 1 (N=122), participants assigned to view local nature photographs were more satisfied with the conditions of their local environment, compared to those who viewed local built photographs. In Study 2 (N=218), we replicated the satisfaction difference, and we explored potential reasons for this relationship. Specifically, we found that ratings of the photos' pleasantness (how interesting/relaxing/attractive the photo was) and the quality of life represented by the photo, but not familiarity, mediated the relationship between photo condition and satisfaction. Across studies, mood and nature connectedness did not differ between conditions. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of natural spaces for perceived local environmental satisfaction.
Papers by Elizabeth Nisbet
This report details the results of an empirical study that examined perceived health and well-bei... more This report details the results of an empirical study that examined perceived health and well-being motives and benefits among visitors to a sample of Alberta’s parks and protected areas. The study revealed several major findings with important policy and management implications. First, the human health and well-being benefits that the visitors expected to receive from visits were perceived to be a major personal motivation in the choice to visit Alberta protected areas. The most important motivation factors identified by respondents were psychological and emotional well-being (89.1% of visitors ranked this important), social well-being (88.3%), physical well-being (80.3%), and environmental well-being (79.4%). Second, the perceived benefits that visitors received from their protected areas experiences were substantial. The most frequently reported improvements were related to psychological and emotional (90.5%), social (85%), and physical well-being (77.6%). Interestingly, women pe...
Psychological Science, 2011
Modern lifestyles disconnect people from nature, and this may have adverse consequences for the w... more Modern lifestyles disconnect people from nature, and this may have adverse consequences for the well-being of both humans and the environment. In two experiments, we found that although outdoor walks in nearby nature made participants much happier than indoor walks did, participants made affective forecasting errors, such that they systematically underestimated nature's hedonic benefit. The pleasant moods experienced on outdoor nature walks facilitated a subjective sense of connection with nature, a construct strongly linked with concern for the environment and environmentally sustainable behavior. To the extent that affective forecasts determine choices, our findings suggest that people fail to maximize their time in nearby nature and thus miss opportunities to increase their happiness and relatedness to nature. Our findings suggest a happy path to sustainability, whereby contact with nature fosters individual happiness and environmentally responsible behavior.
Journal of Happiness Studies, 2011
Frontiers in Psychology, 2013
Environment and Behavior, 2009
Disconnection from the natural world may be contributing to our planet's destruction.... more Disconnection from the natural world may be contributing to our planet's destruction. The authors propose a new construct, Nature Relatedness (NR), and a scale that assesses the affective, cognitive, and experiential aspects of individuals' connection to nature. In Study 1, the authors explored the internal structure of the NR item responses in a sample of 831 participants using factor analysis.
Environment and Behavior, 2014
Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 2008
... However, despite similarities between health and environmental behaviour, and similar challen... more ... However, despite similarities between health and environmental behaviour, and similar challenges in promoting them, research on health promotion and health behaviour change is not widely ap ... As the TPB suggests, attitudes can inspire behaviour and norms can be ...
Uploads
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles by Elizabeth Nisbet
Papers by Elizabeth Nisbet