Going Deeper
Resources & References
Foundational readings, key journals, citation guidance, and online resources to support your conservation psychology research.
Essential Reading
Foundational Books
Identity and the Natural Environment
Clayton, S., & Opsotow, S. (Eds.) (2003) · MIT Press
A foundational edited volume exploring how people define themselves in relation to the natural world. Introduces the concept of environmental identity and includes the original EID scale.
Conservation Psychology: Understanding and Promoting Human Care for Nature
Clayton, S., & Myers, G. (2009) · Wiley-Blackwell
The definitive textbook for the field. Covers the psychological foundations of conservation behavior, human-nature relationships, and the application of psychology to conservation practice.
The Oxford Handbook of Environmental and Conservation Psychology
Clayton, S. (Ed.) (2012) · Oxford University Press
A comprehensive reference covering theory, research methods, and applications across the full breadth of environmental and conservation psychology.
Psychology for Sustainability
Scott, B. A., Amel, E. L., Koger, S. M., & Manning, C. M. (2016) · Routledge
Examines the psychological underpinnings of sustainable behavior and environmental concern, with practical guidance for researchers and practitioners.
Where the Research Lives
Key Journals
Journal of Environmental Psychology
ElsevierThe leading peer-reviewed journal for empirical and theoretical work on human-environment relationships. Home to many of the foundational measure validation studies.
Environment and Behavior
SAGE PublicationsPublishes research on the relationships between human behavior and the natural and built environment, including measurement and scale development.
Conservation Biology
Wiley / Society for Conservation BiologyInterdisciplinary journal covering conservation science, including human dimensions research and psychological approaches to conservation.
Human Dimensions of Wildlife
Taylor & FrancisFocuses on the human dimensions of wildlife management and conservation, including attitudes, values, and behavior toward wildlife.
Ecopsychology
Mary Ann LiebertDedicated to the intersection of ecology and psychology, covering nature connectedness, ecological identity, and the psychological benefits of nature.
Citing Measures
How to Cite a Measure
When using a measure from this library in your research, always cite the original publication. Below are citation formats for the most common academic styles, using the Connectedness to Nature Scale as an example.
Template
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Journal Name, volume(issue), page–page. https://doi.org/xxxxx
Example
Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale: A measure of individuals' feeling in community with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(4), 503–515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.10.001
Template
Author Last, First, and First Last Author. "Title of Article." Journal Name, vol. #, no. #, Year, pp. #–#.
Example
Mayer, F. Stephan, and Cynthia McPherson Frantz. "The Connectedness to Nature Scale: A Measure of Individuals' Feeling in Community with Nature." Journal of Environmental Psychology, vol. 24, no. 4, 2004, pp. 503–515.
Template
Author Last, First. "Title of Article." Journal Name volume, no. issue (Year): pages.
Example
Mayer, F. Stephan, and Cynthia McPherson Frantz. "The Connectedness to Nature Scale: A Measure of Individuals' Feeling in Community with Nature." Journal of Environmental Psychology 24, no. 4 (2004): 503–515.
Tip: Each measure's detail page includes a pre-formatted APA citation ready to copy. If you're using a measure that has been adapted or translated, also cite the adaptation alongside the original.
Online
Organizations & Research Groups
Society for Conservation Biology — Human Dimensions Working Group
Professional society resources, working groups, and publications for conservation scientists and practitioners.
Visit WebsiteAPA Division 34 — Society for Environmental, Population, and Conservation Psychology
The APA division dedicated to environmental and conservation psychology, with resources for researchers and students.
Visit WebsiteHuman Dimensions Research Unit — Cornell University
Research unit specializing in human dimensions of natural resources, with extensive publications on wildlife values and attitudes.
Visit WebsiteNature and Well-being Lab — University of Derby
Research group focused on nature connectedness, including the development and validation of nature connectedness measures.
Visit WebsiteReady to find your measure?
Browse the full library of validated conservation psychology measures, organized by domain and ready to use.