Emotional Affinity toward Nature as a Motivational Basis to Protect Nature
Kals, E., Schumacher, D. & Montada, L. (1999). Emotional affinity toward nature as a motivational basis to protect nature. Environment and Behavior, 31, 2, 178-202.
Examined the role of emotions and emotional affinity toward nature for explaining nature-protective behavior. Questionnaires were given to 281 Ss with an average age of 33 yrs. Multiple regression analyses reveal that (1) emotional affinity is as powerful to predict nature-protective behavior as indignation and interest in nature and together these 3 predictors explain up to 47% of variance of the criterion variables, and (2) 39% of emotional affinity toward nature traces back to present and past experiences in natural environments. The resulting integrative path model is discussed. Theoretical conclusions are drawn, and options for practical intervention are derived.
