Adolescents’ emotional affinity toward nature: A cross-societal study

ABSTRACT: The role of emotional affinity toward nature (EAN) in adolescents is investigated by studying the relationships of EAN with willingness to protect the environment and by comparing the affinity toward nature of adolescents in Germany and Li-thuania. Results show that in line with previous research (e.g., Kals, Schumacher, & Montada, 1999), EAN contributes significant-ly to willingness for pro-environmental commitment, while contact with nature does not have a direct impact on this willingness. Cross-societal differences are found both in EAN and pro-environmental commitments, both being higher in the rural Lithuanian sample. The findings are discussed with regard to the development of EAN and the role of societal factors in explaining pro-environmental action. Anecdotal evidence as well as research suggests that children and adolescents can react rather differently when con-fronted with nature. Some will feel a connection with or love of nature, others may feel disgust or fear (Bixler & Floyd, 1997), and still others may not feel anything at all but see na-ture as a resource for human needs such as water supply or food. Why do these different emotional and cognitive reac-tions develop and do they have an impact on behavioral choic