Ecological Identity: The Development and Assessment of a Measurement Scale

• Published in: Environment and behavior Vol. 50; no. 6; pp. 657 - 689
• Main Authors: Walton, Tobin N., Jones, Robert Emmet
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.07.2018; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Ecological effects; Ecological monitoring; Environmental behavior; Identity; Measurement; Measures; Methodological problems; Mixed methods research; Public concern; Public interest; Reliability; Research design; Social values; Social Identity Theory; pro-environmental behavior; environmental identity; Identity Theory; reliability and validity; values; worldviews
• ISSN: 0013-9165; 1552-390X
• DOI: 10.1177/0013916517710310

Social scientists have increasingly turned their attention to the conceptualization and measurement of different facets of the self to better understand public concern for the environment. Despite significant progress in this area, theoretical and methodological issues remain that could impede further progress. This article addresses several of these issues by providing a conceptual framework that integrates key features from two major theories used to understand self-environment relations. The framework is then utilized within a multimethod research design that emphasized theoretical and methodological correspondence and precision to develop and assess a measure of ecological identity. The results provide solid evidence of the reliability and validity of the Ecological Identity Scale and the utility of the conceptual framework designed to support it. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that ecological identity influences a wide range of environmental behaviors both directly and indirectly via worldviews and social values. Recommendations for future research are offered.