Dr. Michael L. Lengieza
My Philosophy
My own perspective is that the world can only benefit from us feeling more connected to the world to which we belong. Based on my own experience and my knowledge of the relevant scientific literature, I believe that this is best achieved by having profound and meaningful experiences with nature (as well as other contexts, such as world travel, star-gazing, or informal science learning). However, being a true believer in empirical science, it is my goal to test this belief with sound psychological research as reflected in the program of study described below.
My Research
My research focuses on the ways in which people become more connected to the world around them so that they can “be good” and “do good”. Thus, my research tends to have three areas of focus:
Spending Time in
Nature
What happens when we spend time in nature?
How can we make outdoor experiences more impactful?
Can we harness experiences in nature to promote pro-collective outcomes?
Feeling Connected to
Nature
Which experiences make us feel more connected to nature (and why)?
What outcomes stem from feeling more connected to nature?
How can we promote more positive human–nature relationships?
Protecting
Nature
What things predict people’s treatment of nature?
How can we promote more sustainable lifestyle choices?
How do people think about conservation and sustainability?
Research Lenses
My research is informed by three broad lenses. Specifically, I routinely rely on theory and research from: Environmental Psychology, social psychology, and positive psychology.
Environmental Psychology
Being interested in connectedness to nature and pro-environmental behavior, my research is best characterized as environmental psychology. So my research often has a heavy slant toward the environment and sustainability and you are most likely to find my work published in environmental psychology journals or to find me at an environmental psych conference.
However…
Social Psychology
…I am trained as a social psychologist. So, my work often includes ideas borrowed from social psychology. For example, in my research I have draw on theories of close interpersonal relationships, theories of self-awareness, and theories of positive emotions, to name a few.
In many ways, my research is simply applied social psychology and some of my studies have included social parallels (e.g., connectedness to humanity) to the environmental phenomena I study…
Positive Psychology
…My work is also heavily informed by positive psychology. I tend to focus on the role of “meaningful affective experiences” (e.g., awe, meaning and purpose in life, growth and authenticity, curiosity, nostalgia, etc.) and how they contribute to a sense of connectedness.
In addition to “doing good” (e.g., pro-environmental behavior) I am also interested in “being good” and focus on wellbeing as an outcome of outdoor experiences, in particular.
Streams of Research
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Connectedness to Nature
Connectedness to nature is an important key to achieving a sustainable future. How can we best promote it?
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Protecting Nature
The environmental crisis is real. How can we move society toward a more sustainable future?
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Spending Time in Nature
There are loads of benefits that come from engaging with nature. How can we leverage them for the greater good?
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Wellbeing & Flourishing
Human wellbeing and planetary wellbeing aren’t mutually exclusive. What are the links between them?
MeaningInNature.com 