Repositioning Identity in Conceptualizations of Human-Place Bonding Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • In this investigation, we adapted identity theory to reassess a conceptualization of place attachmentconceived herein as an attitudinal construct used by environmental psychologists to describe peoples bonding to the physical landscape. Past work has conceptualized the construct in terms of three components: cognitive, affective, and conative elements. Based on the tenets of identity theory, we hypothesized that the cognitive componentreflected in the dimension place identityis an antecedent of these other affective and conative facets. We empirically tested this reconceptualization using data collected from two spatial contexts in Southern California: residents living in the wildlandurban interface outside of San Diego and Los Angeles. Analyses of both data sets provided strong empirical support for our conceptualization of place and its associated measures. Rather than existing on the same temporal plane, we suggest that identification processes drive other affective and conative elements that underlie people attachments to physical environments.

published proceedings

  • ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR

author list (cited authors)

  • Kyle, G. T., Jun, J., & Absher, J. D.

citation count

  • 25

complete list of authors

  • Kyle, Gerard T||Jun, Jinhee||Absher, James D

publication date

  • November 2014