Elizabeth (Lisa) Nisbet
Associate Professor
M.A., Ph.D. (Carleton University)
Office: DNA C128
Phone: 705-748-1011 ext. 7855
Email: elizabethnisbet@trentu.ca
Webpage: naturerelatedness.ca
Research interests:
My research focuses on individual differences in subjective connectedness with nature (nature relatedness or NR) and the links with health, well-being
(happiness), and environmentally sustainable behaviour. Some of the research questions I am investigation are:
1. How does nature contact and exposure to nature images influence human psychological and physical health (e.g., wellbeing, happiness, stress and coping);
2. What are the consequences of disconnection from nature for environmental decision-making and sustainable behaviours;
3. What are the personality correlates (e.g., materialism, Big 5, self-concept/identity) of nature relatedness and how do life
experiences shape NR (e.g., growing up in urban/rural environments);
4. How malleable is connectedness and what interventions influence nature relatedness (e.g., environmental education, nature
experiences, virtual immersion).
Selected publications:
Nisbet, E.K., & Zelenski, J.M. (2013). The NR-6: A new brief new measure of nature relatedness. Frontiers in Psychology: Personality Science and Individual Differences, 1-11. Published online before print, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00813
Zelenski, J.M., & Nisbet, E.K. (2012). Happiness and feeling connected: The distinct role of nature relatedness. Environment and Behavior. Published online before print, doi: 10.1177/0013916512451901
Nisbet, E.K., & Zelenski, J.M. (2011). Underestimating nearby nature: Affective forecasting errors obscure the happy path to sustainability. Psychological Science, 22(9), 1101-1106.
Nisbet, E.K., Zelenski, J.M. & Murphy, S.A. (2011). Happiness is in our nature: Exploring nature relatedness as a contributor to subjective well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 12, 303-322, doi: 10.1007/s10902-010-9197-7
Nisbet, E.K., Zelenski, J.M., & Murphy, S.A. (2009). The Nature Relatedness Scale: Linking individuals’ connection with nature to environmental concern and behavior. Environment and Behavior, 41, 715-740.
Nisbet, E.K., & Gick, M.L. (2008). Can health psychology help the planet? Applying theory and models of health behaviour to environmental action. Canadian Psychology, 49, 296-303.