Elizabeth K. Nisbet
My research focuses on individual differences in subjective connectedness with nature ("nature relatedness") and the links with health, well-being/happiness, and environmentally sustainable behaviour. Some of the research questions I am investigating are:
(1) How does nature contact and exposure to nature images influence human psychological and physical health (e.g., well-being, happiness, stress, and coping)?
(2) What are the consequences of disconnection from nature for environmental decision-making and sustainable behaviours?
(3) What are the personality correlates (e.g., materialism, Big 5, self-concept/identity) of nature relatedness and how do life experiences shape it (e.g., growing up in urban/rural environments)?
(4) How malleable is connectedness and what interventions influence nature relatedness (e.g., environmental education, nature experiences, virtual immersion, citizen science)?
Primary Interests:
- Applied Social Psychology
- Attitudes and Beliefs
- Emotion, Mood, Affect
- Health Psychology
- Life Satisfaction, Well-Being
- Motivation, Goal Setting
- Personality, Individual Differences
- Persuasion, Social Influence
- Self and Identity
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Image Gallery
Video Gallery
Your Brain on Nature
Nature and Wellness: Learning from Canada's 30x30 Nature Challenge
Other Files
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The Nature Relatedness Scale
- Linked publication: Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2011). Happiness is in our nature: Exploring nature relatedness as a contributor to subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 303-322.
- Linked publication: Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking individuals’ connection with nature to environmental concern and behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41, 715-740.
- Linked publication: Zelenski, J. M., & Nisbet, E. K. (2012). Happiness and feeling connected: The distinct role of nature relatedness. Environment and Behavior.
Journal Articles:
- Nisbet, E. K., & Gick, M. L. (2008). Can health psychology help the planet? Applying theory and models of health behaviour to environmental actions. Canadian Psychology, 49, 296-303.
- Nisbet, E. K., & Zelenski, J. M. (2011). Underestimating nearby nature: Affective forecasting errors obscure the happy path to sustainability. Psychological Science, 22(9), 1101-1106.
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Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2011). Happiness is in our nature: Exploring nature relatedness as a contributor to subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 303-322.
- Linked file: The Nature Relatedness Scale
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Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009). The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking individuals’ connection with nature to environmental concern and behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41, 715-740.
- Linked file: The Nature Relatedness Scale
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Zelenski, J. M., & Nisbet, E. K. (2012). Happiness and feeling connected: The distinct role of nature relatedness. Environment and Behavior.
- Linked file: The Nature Relatedness Scale
- Nisbet, E. K., & Zelenski, J. M. (2013). The NR-6: A new brief new measure of nature relatedness. Frontiers in Psychology: Personality Science and Individual Differences, 1-11. Published online before print, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00813
Other Publications:
- Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2007). The human nature connection: Sustainable development policy implications. In G. B. Doern (Ed.), Innovation, Science, Environment: Canadian Policies and Performance, 2007-2008 (pp. 200-218). Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press.
Courses Taught:
- Environmental Health
- Environmental Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Introduction to Psychology
- Motivation and Emotion
- Personality Psychology
Elizabeth K. Nisbet
Department of Psychology
DNA Building
Trent University
Peterborough, Ontario K9J7B8
Canada
- Phone: (705) 748-1011, extension 7855