Identification of six emergent types based on cognitive and affective constructs that explain individuals' relationship with the biosphere

Abstract

To address the pathological human-nature nexus, psychological processes that impact this relationship need to be further understood. Individual diff;erences related to personality, values, worldviews, affect, and beliefs are likely to influence how people relate to the natural world. However, there is a lack of empirically-based ecopsychological research exploring multiple individual attributes. Understanding individual diff;erences enables the strategic design of planetary-focused interventions, such as advocacy, policy, and technology development. Using a theoretical model that incorporates intrinsic, affective, cognitive, and behavioral constructs, this study sought to identify and describe diff;erent types of people and their relationship with the biosphere. Seven hundred and fifty-three people completed an online quantitative questionnaire battery. Results from the cluster analyses of the cognitive and affective constructs showed that six heterogeneous types existed. Their diff;erent descriptive expressions of intrinsic, affective, cognitive, and behavioral constructs provide a deeper understanding of each type's relationship with the biosphere.