Does size matter in the human–nature relationship?

Nature-self size , or the extent to which one perceives nature as relatively larger than the self, may inform a larger literature on subjective views of the human–nature relationship, complementing the field's current emphasis on nature connectedness. Across four studies (Total N = 1494 Canadian undergraduates), we examined associations between a pictorial measure of nature-self size and both pictorial and verbal measures of nature connectedness. We also situated nature-self size within a broader nomological network spanning pro-environmental, mental health, prosocial, and personality domains. Nature-self size showed moderate positive correlations with measures of nature connectedness and was linked to outcomes across all criterion domains. By contrast, measures of nature connectedness typically showed more and/or stronger criterion associations. In regression models, nature-self size and its nature size component (an independent rating of perceived nature size) tended to account for little unique variance beyond what nature connectedness explained, especially for pro-environmental outcomes. The self size component (an independent rating of perceived self size) was a notable predictor of mental health and personality outcomes and appeared to drive nature-self size's relationships with most of these variables. Together, these findings help clarify the role of size in understanding subjective views of the human–nature relationship. • Nature-self size showed moderate positive associations with nature connectedness. • Nature connectedness tended to show more and/or stronger criterion associations. • Nature connectedness was often the strongest predictor of pro-environmental criteria. • Self size was a notable predictor of mental health and personality criteria.