Lay People's Images of Nature: Comprehensive Frameworks of Values, Beliefs, and Value Orientations

Research on attitudes of the general public toward nature conservation often focuses on values, beliefs, or value orientations as separate cognitions. This article argues for a more holistic approach that integrates various attitudinal components into comprehensive frameworks or "images of natu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSociety & natural resources Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 417 - 432
Main Author Buijs, Arjen E.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Taylor & Francis Group 01.05.2009
Subjects
Attitudes
biodiversity
concepts of nature
Conflict
Conservation
ecocentric values
exploration
General Public
Ideal Types
images of nature
intrinsic values
knowledge
landscape
landscape perception
Natural Resources
nature
nature conservation
nature management
Netherlands
Pluralism
preferences
Resource Management
understandings
views of nature
visions
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Summary:Research on attitudes of the general public toward nature conservation often focuses on values, beliefs, or value orientations as separate cognitions. This article argues for a more holistic approach that integrates various attitudinal components into comprehensive frameworks or "images of nature." Based on qualitative studies in the Netherlands, five ideal types of images of nature were derived: the wilderness image, the autonomy image, the inclusive image, the aesthetic image, and the functional image, all with different implications for natural resource management. Some images focus on either individualistic or holistic interpretations of the intrinsic value of nature, while others focus more on beautiful landscapes or utilitarian functions. Integrating the pluralism of cognitions into images of nature may help managers to understand conflicts based on diverging opinions on local nature conservation practices. In participatory processes, images of nature may function as sensitizing concepts to facilitate discussions between experts and the general public.
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ISSN:0894-1920
1521-0723
DOI:10.1080/08941920801901335