Research article summary (published 3 Aug 2009):

Can nature make us more caring? Effects of immersion in nature on intrinsic aspirations and generosity.

Full Abstract

Four studies examined the effects of nature on valuing intrinsic and extrinsic aspirations. Intrinsic aspirations reflected prosocial and other-focused value orientations, and extrinsic aspirations predicted self-focused value orientations. Participants immersed in natural environments reported higher valuing of intrinsic aspirations and lower valuing of extrinsic aspirations, whereas those immersed in non-natural environments reported increased valuing of extrinsic aspirations and no change of intrinsic aspirations. Three studies explored experiences of nature relatedness and autonomy as underlying mechanisms of these effects, showing that nature immersion elicited these processes whereas non-nature immersion thwarted them and that they in turn predicted higher intrinsic and lower extrinsic aspirations. Studies 3 and 4 also extended the paradigm by testing these effects on generous decision making indicative of valuing intrinsic versus extrinsic aspirations.

Author information

Author/s: Weinstein, Netta (N); Przybylski, Andrew K (AK); Ryan, Richard M (RM);

Affiliation: Clinical and Social Sciences in Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627, USA. netta(-atsign-)psych.rochester.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Personality and social psychology bulletin (Pers Soc Psychol Bull), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 35 (issue 10) : pp 1315-29

Dates: Created 2009/09/04; Completed 2009/10/19;

PMID: 19657048, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/19/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Affect Altruism Aspirations (Psychology) Culture Decision Making Female Humans Internal-External Control

Internal-External Control Interpersonal Relations Male Middle Aged Nature Pattern Recognition, Visual Personal Autonomy Social Environment Young Adult

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