Psychological Development and Education ›› 2018, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (1): 120-127.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2018.01.15

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Connectedness to Nature: Conceptualization, Measurements and Promotion

LI Yiming1, LI Jian2,3, WU Fanghui4   

  1. 1. Faculty of Primary Education, Beijing Institute of Education, Beijing 100011;
    2. Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875;
    3. Beijing Key Laboratory of Applied Experimental Psychology, Beijing, 100875;
    4. Beijing Educational Inspector Research and Training Center, Beijing Institute of Education, Beijing 100011
  • Online:2018-01-15 Published:2018-01-15

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Abstract: Connectedness to nature refers to the extent to which individuals identify themselves as a part of nature and are emotionally connected to nature. It reflects the quality of relationships between human and nature. Extant studies showed that connectedness to nature is significantly associated with individuals' physical and mental health, cognitive development, and their environmental awareness, and could be built or strengthened through cognitive learning and emotional experiences. Future research should verify the conceptualization and structure of connectedness to nature, and further explore the psychological mechanisms behind its development. Moreover, theoretical research could be combined with educational practice so that more longitudinal and intervention studies could be conducted. Lastly, researchers could consider to study connectedness to nature in other areas of psychological research.

Key words: connectedness to nature, development, physical and mental health, environmental awareness

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