2. Introduction
1) Your name
2) Place where you currently live
3) Place where you were born/ grew-up
4) Place where you feel most connected and
why?
3. Measuring Place Identity
Considering the place whereyou feel most connected
Williams, D. R. & Vaske, J. J. (2003). The measurement of place attachment: Validity
and generalizability of a psychometric approach. Forest Science, 49(6), 830-840.
1-strongly disagree; 2 disagree; 3 neutral; 4 agree; 5- strongly agree
1) I feel “X” is a part of me. 1 2 3 4 5
2) “X” is very special to me. 1 2 3 4 5
3) I identify strongly with “X” 1 2 3 4 5
4) I am very attached to “X” 1 2 3 4 5
5) Visiting “X” says a lot about who I am. 1 2 3 4 5
6) “X” means a lot to me. 1 2 3 4 5
4. Place Identity (conceptualized)
“Cognitions about the physical environment that also
serve to define who the person is…The cognitions are
represented as thoughts, memories, beliefs, values,
ideas, preferences, and meanings relating to all the
important settings of the person’s daily life, past as well
as present…Place-identity cognitions monitor the
person’s behavior and experience in the physical
world.” (Proshansky & Fabian, 1987, pp. 22-23)
5. Childhood Memories
• Place identity stable and shifting
• Childhood is significant period when more
stable aspects of place identity are formed
(Proshansky & Fabian, 1987; Chawla, 1987)
• Socio-cultural implications
• Positive and negative experiences of place
• Shape the way we experience, behave, and act
in our communities/ environments
6. Childhood Place Memories
draw, write, represent, sing, share…
1) Reflect on a childhood place in which you hold an
early memory
2) Consider the setting- What do you see? Is it a house,
an outdoor environment, a camp, etc…?
3) Consider places within that setting- Is there a
particular space which holds significant meaning to
you? What drew you there? An activity? An object or
being?
4) How do your early place experiences define you?
7. Macro and Micro Places
Shifting scope and size of places throughout life
Macro-places: Settings or environments, in
which children have little choice or control
Micro-places: Smaller spaces claimed or
chosen by children, which provide autonomy
or a sense of control
8. Place Identity
Developmental Implications
• Humans move from the concrete to the
abstract…
• Small to larger contexts..
• Near to further from home…
• Places that hold lasting implications
9. Teaching Implications
• How can you apply understanding of place
identity in your place-based pedagogy and
practice?
