Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Dispositional empathy for nature is an important predictor of pro environmental intentions. However, relatively little is known about the psychological precursors of dispositional empathy for nature. We predicted that connection to nature would mediate the relation between perspective taking and dispositional empathy for nature. Our reasoning is based on findings that link empathy to dispositional empathy for nature (perspective taking is a component of empathy for other humans), and our hypothesis that feeling connected to nature should increase empathy for nature. Undergraduate participants (n=117) at SUNY Geneseo completed an online survey that included measures of perspective taking of other humans, connection to nature, and dispositional empathy for nature, along with other measures. Results confirmed our hypothesis by showing that connection to nature fully mediated the relation between perspective taking and dispositional empathy for nature. Taken together with previous results, our results show that dispositional empathy for nature is an important variable that potentially links multiple components of empathy for other humans with pro environmental intentions.
Recommended Citation
Arehart, Anna and Healy, Joseph, "148 - Perspective Taking and Dispositional Empathy with Nature: The Mediating Role of Connection to Nature" (2025). GREAT Day Posters. 35.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2025/posters-2025/35
148 - Perspective Taking and Dispositional Empathy with Nature: The Mediating Role of Connection to Nature
Dispositional empathy for nature is an important predictor of pro environmental intentions. However, relatively little is known about the psychological precursors of dispositional empathy for nature. We predicted that connection to nature would mediate the relation between perspective taking and dispositional empathy for nature. Our reasoning is based on findings that link empathy to dispositional empathy for nature (perspective taking is a component of empathy for other humans), and our hypothesis that feeling connected to nature should increase empathy for nature. Undergraduate participants (n=117) at SUNY Geneseo completed an online survey that included measures of perspective taking of other humans, connection to nature, and dispositional empathy for nature, along with other measures. Results confirmed our hypothesis by showing that connection to nature fully mediated the relation between perspective taking and dispositional empathy for nature. Taken together with previous results, our results show that dispositional empathy for nature is an important variable that potentially links multiple components of empathy for other humans with pro environmental intentions.
Comments
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