Underestimating Nearby Nature: Affective Forecasting Errors Obscure the Happy Path to Sustainability
Abstract
Modern lifestyles disconnect people from nature, and this may have adverse consequences for the well-being of both humans and the environment. In two experiments, we found that although outdoor walks in nearby nature made participants much happier than indoor walks did, participants made affective forecasting errors, such that they systematically underestimated nature’s hedonic benefit. The pleasant moods experienced on outdoor nature walks facilitated a subjective sense of connection with nature, a construct strongly linked with concern for the environment and environmentally sustainable behavior. To the extent that affective forecasts determine choices, our findings suggest that people fail to maximize their time in nearby nature and thus miss opportunities to increase their happiness and relatedness to nature. Our findings suggest a happy path to sustainability, whereby contact with nature fosters individual happiness and environmentally responsible behavior.
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Physical disconnection from the environments in which we evolved may be having a detrimental impact on our emotional well-being as exposure to nature is associated with increased happiness.
“This physical disconnection from the environments in which we evolved in may be having a detrimental impact on our emotional well-being as exposure to nature is associated with increased happiness (Berman et al., 2008, 2012; Mayer et al., 2009; Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011; MacKerron and Mourato, 2013; White et al., 2013).”
From The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis (2014) · cites this paper as Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011
One's subjective connection to nature can fluctuate and be measured at the state level.
“Nevertheless, one's subjective connection to nature can fluctuate (e.g., compare taking a walk outside in nature vs. indoors through tunnels) and be measured at the state level as well (Schultz, 2002; Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011).”
From The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis (2014) · cites this paper as Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011
The association between measures of nature connectedness and happiness appears to vary considerably, with correlation coefficients ranging from −0.01 to 0.42 in the published research literature.
“This is necessary as the association between measures of nature connectedness and happiness appear to vary considerably, with correlation coefficients ranging from −0.01 (Nisbet et al., 2011) to 0.42 (Zelenski and Nisbet, 2014) in the published research literature.”
From The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis (2014) · cites this paper as Nisbet et al., 2011
There is a substantial amount of evidence that exposure to nature leads to increased happiness.
“and there is a substantial amount of evidence that shows that exposure to nature leads to increased happiness (Berman et al., 2008, 2012; Mayer et al., 2009; Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011; White et al., 2013).”
From The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: a meta-analysis (2014) · cites this paper as Nisbet and Zelenski, 2011
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- Authors
- Nisbet, E. K., & Zelenski, J. M.
- Affiliations
- Carleton University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Nisbet, Elizabeth K.
- Venue
- Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2011-08-09
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 1101-1106
- ISSN
- 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9280
- OpenAlex
- W2153433343
- Cited by
- 413
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 24 · 2025: 35 · 2024: 39 · 2023: 39 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 35 · 2019: 25 · 2018: 44 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 21 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 15 · 2012: 7
- FWCI
- 8.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Environmental Education and Sustainability
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Keywords
- happiness, connection with nature, environmental concern, time use, well-being, human-nature disconnection
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Affect, Conservation of Natural Resources, Environment, Female, Happiness, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nature, Young Adult
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