Situation networks : the emotions and activities that are central to nature-connectedness experiences

Many of the psychological phenomena that are relevant to the environmental crises facing the globe are determined by a complex set of interrelated constructs—that is, they are determined by a network of factors. In recognizing that these factors form a network and do not work in isolation, the need for research that captures the holistic interrelations between variables becomes obvious. As a way of exploring the value of such an approach for other areas of environmental psychology, we tested the utility of treating nature-connectedness experiences as a network using principles adapted from social network analysis. In Study 1, we look at the affective situation network concerning nature-connectedness experiences. In Study 2, we draw upon the pathways to nature framework to investigate the activity situation network for nature connectedness experiences. In Study 1, we find that awe, inspiration, and love are all important and central to nature-connectedness experiences. In Study 2, we find that meaningful (e.g., meaning-making) and deliberate engagement (e.g., noticing) are important and central to nature-connectedness experiences. More importantly, the results from this pair of studies indicate that using this network approach is a useful exploratory tool that is both generative and flexible and can yield important insights that can catalyse novel lines of confirmatory research. Thus, we suggest that research in other areas of environmental psychology consider this approach.