The DOI matches its Crossref record; 27 of the 29 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
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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In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“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
In the citing paper
“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
Citations
Cites
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Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. (2004) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.10.001 · Cited by 3,037
The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature.
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x · Cited by 2,535 · cited 1×
“First, walking outdoors produced better moods than walking indoors; this result bolsters previous findings in natural environments (e.g., Berman et al., 2008; Hartig, Evans, Jamner, Davis, & Gärling, 2003; Mayer et al., 2009).”
ResultTracking restoration in natural and urban field settings
Hartig, T., Evans, G. W., Jamner, L. D., Davis, D. S., & Gärling, T. (2003) · Journal of Environmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/s0272-4944(02)00109-3 · Cited by 2,118
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Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(08)61689-x · Cited by 2,099
Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Murphy, S. A. (2009) · Environment and Behavior · doi:10.1177/0013916508318748 · Cited by 1,963
Self-citation
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Kellert S. R., 1993, The biophilia hypothesis
- Nisbet E. K., 2009, Paper presented at the 8th Biennial Conference on Environmental Psychology
- Ulrich R. S., 1993, The biophilia hypothesis, 73
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Metadata
- 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
- Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Urban Green Space and Health
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law › Pro-Environmental Behavior and Attitudes
- 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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