From ego-centred to eco-centred: an investigation of the association between authenticity and ecological sensitivity

Ottiger, Awa Sabrina; Joseph, Stephen

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the empirical validity of Carl Rogers’ vision of the authentic person to be ecologically minded. 238 participants were asked to complete the Authenticity Scale, the Connectedness to Nature Scale, the Love and Care for Nature Scale, the Ethically Minded Consumer Behavior Scale, and the Brief Social Desirability Scale. It was found that higher scores on authenticity were associated with higher scores on feelings of connection to nature, love and care for nature, and ethically minded consumer choices. Associations remained statistically significant even controlling for social desirability effects. This is the first study to provide empirical support for Rogers’ hypothesis that more congruent individuals will be more environmentally aware and concerned.

Citation

Ottiger, A. S., & Joseph, S. (2022). From ego-centred to eco-centred: an investigation of the association between authenticity and ecological sensitivity. Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapies, 20(2), 139-151. https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2020.1846600

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 14, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Nov 19, 2020
• Publication Date: Apr 3, 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 2, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 20, 2021
• Journal: Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies
• Print ISSN: 1477-9757
• Electronic ISSN: 1752-9182
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 139-151
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14779757.2020.1846600
• Keywords: authenticity; connectedness to nature; ecological sensitivity; ethically minded consumer behaviour
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4745109
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14779757.2020.1846600
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies on 19 Nov 2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/14779757.2020.1846600