Linking place preferences with place meaning: An examination of the relationship between place motivation and place attachment

Gerard T. Kyle, Andrew J. Mowen, Michael Tarrant

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

383 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using data collected from residents surrounding a large urban park setting, we examined the relationship between their motivation to visit the park and their attachment to the setting. Based on the literature suggesting that natural environments provide humans with a variety of desired psychological, social, and physiological outcomes, we hypothesized that these outcomes would motivate respondents to interact with the park environment and facilitate the development of their attachment to the setting. Our data were analysed using covariance structure analysis. The results of this analysis offered partial support for our hypothesized model. Using multidimensional conceptualizations of motivation and place attachment, we observed that not all dimensions of motivation had a significant effect on the dimensions of place attachment. The valence of the significant predictors, however, was consistent with our hypotheses and prior literature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)439-454
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Environmental Psychology
Volume24
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2004

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology

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