Everything is connected: Reminders of environmental and social connectedness strengthen environmental attitudes

Abstract

In two studies, we examined the effects of receiving reminders of environmental and social connectedness on environmental attitudes. We developed a novel experimental paradigm to induce feelings of connectedness with vignettes. Environmental attitudes were assessed with the Environmental Concern and Awareness of Consequences scales, both of which included three subscales (biospheric, social, and egoistic). In Study 1 (N = 774), we found that receiving a reminder of environmental connectedness increased environmental concern (biospheric) and awareness of consequences (biospheric and social) for individuals who did not feel connected to nature or other people. In Study 2 (N = 854), we replicated and extended these results, showing that receiving a reminder of environmental or social connectedness also increased environmental concern (biospheric and egoistic) for individuals who did not feel connected to nature or others. The findings show that reminders of environmental and social connectedness can promote people's awareness of, and concern for, the environment, especially among individuals with low. dispositional connectedness.