Conservation Psychology: Understanding and Promoting Human Care for Nature

by Susan Clayton, Gene Myers

This textbook introduces the reader to the new and emerging field of Conservation Psychology, which explores connections between the study of human behavior and the achievement of conservation goals.

People are often cast as villains in the story of environmental degradation, seen primarily as a threat to healthy ecosystems and an obstacle to conservation. But humans are inseparable from natural ecosystems. Understanding how people think about, experience, and interact with nature is crucial for promoting environmental sustainability as well as human well-being.

The book first summarizes theory and research on human cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to nature and goes on to review research on people's experience of nature in wild, managed, and urban settings. Finally, it examines ways to encourage conservation-oriented behavior at both individual and societal levels. Throughout, the authors integrate a wide body of published literature to demonstrate how and why psychology is relevant to promoting a more sustainable relationship between humans and nature.

Genres: Conservation, Environment, Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Nature

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly what I expected- only one chapter focuses on pschology of fostering sustainable behavior. Other topics can be found in general environmental psyc or sociology studies. I would have liked to see a greater focus on factors leading toward conservation.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book summarizes the understanding of human psychology related to our understanding, relationship, and value of nature, the nonhuman environment (as of 2009). Despite the academic leaning of the subject and especially the first chapters, the book is accessible and engaging. I found overlap with the little bit of psychology I have studied, cognition and learning with respect to teaching, other work presenting why people didn't accept research supporting the role of tobacco in lung and other cancers, and personal experience.

The discussion presented addresses why teaching and doing conservation can be difficult and why some attempts to engage and convince others of the importance of conservation work don't work or have been inadequate to produce real change and ongoing commitment.

The book contains a section of Acknowledgments, an Introduction (Chapter 1), followed by 11 Chapters divided among 3 parts: Thinking about Nature, Interactions with Nature, and Promoting Conservation. There is also a Glossary, a list of References, and an Index.

The book is interesting generally but is especially useful for those who teach ecological/environmental studies and those working in conservation, especially for engaging the public.

[CM · Rating 2 out of 5]

This second edition, like the first, only has one chapter covering promoting sustainable behavior. While one may argue a couple other chapters on attitudes and values, perceptions of environmental issues and the likes may contribute to our understanding of the topic, this rather little coverage may not be what a reader is expecting. The author also makes use of a more interdisciplinary approach to shed light into the relevant issues (education, ethics,resource management) that may appeal to readers who do not come from a psychology background.

[Sierra]

“We love nature because we are nature.” 💞
Made me want to abandon civilization and live my cottagecore destiny

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Gene Myers, AM’88, PhD’94
Coauthor

From our pages (Mar–Apr/10): "When discussing humanity’s place in the ecosystem, critics invariably label humans as villains. Whether through pollution or overhunting, people are viewed as a threat to environments. This textbook introduces the field of conservation psychology, which explains how people think about and interact with nature, as well as ways to encourage conservation."

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read several of Susan Clayton's articles on climate change and mental health, which were fantastic: clear and concise. This book takes a broader look at human relationships with animals and landscapes, as well as our behaviors in and attitudes toward the natural world. It will very likely motivate you to read more about some of the cited research.

[Dickyseptiharto · Rating 5 out of 5]

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