(11/29/2020) Here, we try out a somewhat dreamlike new format. We will describe a problem in terms of the present day, but we will also describe the resolution of that problem from the perspective of this same podcast 30 years in the future. For the present day portion, Arnold tells his friend Evan about the failure of science communication as a strategy for saving the world, and the rich psychometric landscape that relates to ecological perspectives. In the future portion, we begin the story of Ghada Sabbagh, an Egyptian high school student who foments scientific revolution.
Bibliography for episode #18:
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Gerofsky, P. R. & Gerofsky, P. R. (2016) The Relationship between Nature Relatedness, Trait Emotional Intelligence and Well- Being. Undergraduate Honors Theses. 28. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/psychd_uht/28
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McKetchnie, G. E. (1977) The environmental response inventory in application. Environment and Behavior 9(2):255-277.
Merino, A., et al. (2020) Connectedness is in my character: the relationship between nature relatedness and character strengths. Environmental Education Research. DOI: 10.1080/13504622.2020.1825630
Metz, A. L. (2017) Back to Nature: The Relationship Between Nature Relatedness on Empathy and Narcissism in the Millennial Generation. VISTAS Online. American Counseling Association Knowledge Center. counseling-org/knowledge-center/vistas
Nisbet, E. K., et al. (2008) The Nature Relatedness Scale : Linking Individuals' Connection With Nature to Environmental Concern and Behavior. Environment and Behavior 2009 41:715.
Nour, M. M., et al. (2017) Psychedelics, Personality and Political Perspectives. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2159-9777. DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2017.1312643
Ripple, W. J., et al. World scientists' warning to humanity: A second notice. https://scientistswarning.forestry.oregonstate.edu/sites/sw/files/Ripple_et_al_11-3-17%20Scientists%20main%20text.pdf
I think the problem with survey based approaches like the Nour study you mention is that they fail to untangle correlation and causation. As you've mentioned in previous episodes things like conscientiousness are correlated with openess to experience, which will pretty obviously be a predictor of whether someone goes on to take psychedelics, so it's hard to say that psychedelics change people in a positive way from that kind of data. I would love to see a causation study on the link between ego dissolution and conscientiousness because I suspect that the biology that predisposes certain people towards conscientiousness also leads them towards a certain kind of psychedelic experience but even if that is the case it doesn't rule out…