A socioecological look at authenticity: rootedness underlies both personal and place authenticity

Abstract

ABSTRACT Can places feel authentic? Understanding the authenticity of place remains understudied compared to personal authenticity. Across three studies, we explore how place authenticity emerges and its impact on personal authenticity. We discover that while they are related (r = .52), they are distinct constructs associated with feelings of rootedness and uniqueness (Study 1). Experimentally, different types of rootedness have varying effects: connection to places increases place authenticity (and to some extent, personal authenticity), while connection to the self enhances personal authenticity (and to some extent, place authenticity; Study 2). Finally, feelings of personal authenticity do not derive from feelings of place authenticity (Study 3). In sum we find evidence that place and personal authenticity are distinct constructs, with related but distinct causes.