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Nature connectedness is the extent to which individuals include nature as part of their identity.〔Schultz, P. W. (2002). "Inclusion with nature: The psychology of human-nature relations". In P. W. Schmuck & W. P. Schultz (Eds.), ''Psychology of sustainable development.'' (pp. 62-78). Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic.〕 It includes an understanding of nature and everything it is made up of, even the parts that are not pleasing.〔Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. A., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). "The nature relatedness scale: Linking individuals' connection with nature to environmental concern and behaviour". ''Environment and Behaviour, 41,'' 715-740.〕 Characteristics of nature connectedness are similar to those of a personality trait: nature connectedness is stable over time and across various situations.〔Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2010). "Happiness is in our nature: Exploring nature relatedness as a contributor to subjective well-being". ''Journal of Happiness Studies, 12,'' 303-322. doi:10.1007/s10902-010-9197-7.〕 Schultz〔 describes three components that make up the nature connectedness construct: * ''The cognitive component'' is the core of nature connectedness and refers to how integrated one feels with nature. *''The affective component'' is an individual's sense of care for nature. *''The behavioral component'' is an individual’s commitment to protect the natural environment. These three components make up nature connectedness and are required for a healthy relationship with nature. If an individual feels connected to nature (possibly by spending time in it), they may be more inclined to care about nature, and protect the environment.〔 Recent research has found that nature exposure (and feeling connected to nature at a trait level) provides many benefits to humans such as well-being.〔 Other researchers describe the nature connectedness construct in a simpler manner. For instance, nature connectedness can be thought of as a love of nature (also referred to as emotional affinity toward nature).〔Kals, E., Schumacher, D., & Montada, L. (1999). "Emotional affinity toward nature as a motivational basis to protect nature". ''Environment and Behavior, 31'', 178-202. doi:10.1177/00139169921972056〕 Similarly, nature connectedness can be defined as how much a person believes they are the same as nature (more specifically, a person's connectivity with nature)〔Dutcher, D. D., Finley, J. C., Luloff, A. E., & Johnson, J. B. (2007). "Connectivity with nature as a measure of environmental values". ''Environment and Behavior, 39'', 474–493.〕 or it can be thought of as simply feeling emotionally connected with nature.〔 Nature connectedness (as a construct) is also known as nature relatedness, connectivity with nature, emotional affinity toward nature, or inclusion of nature in self. Although nature relatedness is a stable individual trait, it can change based on one’s experience with nature,〔Vinning, J., Merrick, M. S., & Price, E. A. (2008). "The distinction hi. between humans and nature: Human perceptions of connectedness to nature and elements of the natural and unnatural". ''Human Ecology Review, 15'', 1-11.〕 meaning the more time an individual spends in nature, the more connected they feel to nature and the more concern they may feel for nature.〔〔〔 Feeling connected to nature at a state level has many benefits as well such as more positive moods and less negative moods.〔〔 Even though humans derive many benefits from nature, our modern lifestyles have created a disconnect from the natural environment wherein we spend significantly more time indoors. Some researchers estimate that humans spend up to 90% of their lives indoors.〔Evans, G. W., & McCoy, J. M. (1998). "When buildings don't work: The role of architecture in human health". ''Journal of Environmental Psychology'','' 18,'' 85-94.〕 This disconnection from nature can have a negative impact on humans because we are missing out on the beneficial effects of nature. As a result, we are less connected to nature and feel less responsibility to protect this environment.〔 ==Theory and biophilia== Our relationship with the natural environment can be understood through the concept of Biophilia and the Biophilia hypothesis. This term is defined as humans’ innate need to affiliate with other life such as plants and animals.〔Wilson, E. O. (1984). ''Biophilia'' Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.〕 This essentially means that humans have a desire to be near nature. This built in desire may be the result of spending the majority of our evolutionary history (over 99%) closely connected to nature.〔 Biophilia is genetic meaning those humans who were closely connected to nature throughout history would, presumably, have had better access to food and fresh water. For example, someone who lived close to water, near vegetation, or with a pet as a protector (e.g. dog) would have had survival advantages. Although evolutionary theory is difficult to test, the popularity of camping, hiking, and visiting the zoo,〔Wilson, E. O. (1993). "Biophilia and the conservation ethic". In S. Kellert & E. O. Wilson (Eds.), ''The biophilia hypothesis'' (pp. 31-41). Washington, DC: Island Press〕 provide support for this theory. In his 1997 book, Kellert proposed that biophilia (or being close to nature) also provides us benefits such as an increase in well-being.〔Kellert, S. R. (1997). ''Kinship to mastery: Biophilia in human evolution and development''. Washington, DC:Island Press〕 Thus, being disconnected from the natural environment should have negative effects on humans’ well-being. The construct of nature connectedness is also related to a branch of psychology called ecopsychology. This branch seeks to examine how human well-being is related to the well-being of the natural environment.〔Roszak, T. (1992). ''The voice of the earth'', Grand Rapids, MI: Phanes Press, 2nd edition (2001), ISBN 978-1890482800〕 This theory is based on the idea that the needs of humans and nature are interdependent so human health will suffer if nature does as well.〔Conn, S. A. (1998). Living in the earth: Ecopsychology, health and psychotherapy. ''The Humanistic Psychologist, 26,'' 179-198.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Nature connectedness」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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