Relationship of Human with Nature

Human survival is directly tied to our relationship with natural environment. Achieving a sustainable lifestyle depends on esteblishing a balance between the consumption of individuals and the capacity of the natural environment for renewal. Yet, we often act as if we are seperate from nature - as if we can get along without nature. Indeed, buili environments serve as barriers between individuals c the natural environments in which they live. Offices, schools, homes, cars, restaurants, shopping malls, and many other built environments segregate people from nature. This chapter examines the implicit connection that individuals make between self and nature, and the impact of buill environments on these implicit cognitions. A psychological model for inclusion with nature is presented, containing cognitive (connectedness), affective (caring), and behavioral (commitment) components. Implications for theory, design, and sustainability are discussed.

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Psychology of Sustainable Developement

Paul Wesley Schultz

Ch 4 : Inclusion with Nature: Psychology of Human Nature Relations

Types of " Human-Nature Relationships "

It is possible to identify and categorize a finite number of discrete human-nature relational models (RMs). We propose an elementary typology of such RMs, each of them having their own ‘grammar’, encompassing several dimensions (see below for definitions for explanations)

What have been called ‘instrumental values’ correspond to one of those RMs, namely, ‘utilization’. Similarly, intrinsic values are related to an alternative RM that allocates a particular set of rights to nature (e.g., ‘wardship’). Lastly, the common use of the term ‘relational values’ may be associated with other RMs, such as ‘stewardship’ or ‘ritualized exchange’ (see explanations below, including descriptions in Table1). We propose that all three fuzzy categories of values (instrumental, relational and intrinsic) are indeed ‘relational’ in the sense that they are all derived from different cognitive frameworks that shape a given relationship with nature. From this point of view, the current –narrow- use of the term ‘relational values’, though intuitively appealing, might be confusing. Our typology of relational models links to (but it is not restricted to) the most common categories of values used in the valuation literature and calls for an improved classification and wording.

types of relationship

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A typology of elementary forms of human-nature relations: A contribution to the valuation debate

Roldan Muradian (1) and Unai Pascual (2,3,4)

1. Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil;

2. Basque Center for Climate Change (BC3), Leioa, Spain;

3 Basque Foundation for Science, Ikerbasque, Spain;

4.Centre for Development and Environment, University of Bern, Switzerland.

The Human–Nature Relationship and Its Impact on Health

During the past four decades, researchers, health practitioners, and environmentalists alike have begun to explore the potential link between the human–nature relationship and its impact people’s health. This in part owes to the increasing evidence accumulating in research literature centering on the relationships between the following areas: chronic diseases and urbanization, nature connectedness and happiness, health implications of contemporary society’s lifestyle choices as well as the adverse impacts of environmental quality on the health of humans and non-humans alike.

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The Human–Nature Relationship and Its Impact on Health: A Critical Review

Valentine Seymour*