Conservation psychology is the scientific study of the reciprocal relationships between humans and the rest of nature, with a particular focus on how to encourage the conservation of the natural world. As an applied field, Conservation Psychology uses psychological principles, theories, or methods to understand and solve issues related to human aspects of conservation.
In addition to being a field of study, Conservation Psychology is a network of researchers and practitioners who work together to understand and promote a sustainable and harmonious relationship between people and the natural environment. Conservation Psychology research can be organized according to two broad outcome areas:
- How people behave toward nature (with the goal of creating durable behavior change at multiple levels and sustainable relationships), and/or
- How people care about/value nature (with the goal of creating harmonious relationships and an environmental ethic)
Conservation psychology research can focus on either the individual or collective level, and the type of research can vary on a continuum of theoretical to applied.
Further discussions about the term “conservation psychology” itself and debates about what should be included are presented in a special issue of the Population and Environmental Psychology Bulletin (Brook 2001; Myers 2001; Reser 2001) and a special issue of Human Ecology Review (Saunders and Myers 2003).