The ecological significance of the overview effect: Environmental attitudes and behaviours in astronauts

Abstract

The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the previously underexplored ecological dimension of the overview effect phenomenon – the cognitive shift in awareness experienced by astronauts as a result of seeing Earth from outer space – and to identify and describe its defining features. Based on 14 semi-structured interviews with astronauts, this study applied interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) and utilized the Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI) measures to qualitatively demonstrate that the overview effect contains an unanticipated and distinguishable ecological significance that has the ability to markedly influence post-spaceflight environmental attitudes and behaviours (EABs), resulting in a new level of environmental awareness and consciousness in astronauts. This study also qualitatively mapped the breadth and depth of participants' present EABs, contributing first-time observations on attitudes towards specific ecological issues and behaviours pertaining to environmental movement activism and personal conservation practices. The potential utility of the phenomenon's ability to more broadly increase environmental awareness and concern is underexplored but promising. Further research to expand on this study's findings, as well as the purposive and strategic application of astronauts in national and international environmental communication and engagement initiatives, is suggested.