Cohabitating With the Wild

Kahn, Jr. Peter H.

doi:10.1089/eco.2009.0001

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…The theme of Relationships was particularly important in the human-dolphin interaction; it accounted for over 40% of participant commentary. This is hardly surprising, as Kahn (2009) reflects: Humans have always sought interaction and attention from animals. The importance of positive relationships for flourishing has been previously identified (e.g., Diener & Seligman, 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dolphins and Human Flourishing: A Novel Application of the PERMA Model

Yerbury

Boyd

2019

Ecopsychology

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Humans and nonhuman animals belong to a network of living things that have existed and interacted for millennia. The Biophilia hypothesis highlights the innate human need for nature contact and connection to ensure human well-being. Evidence suggests that contact with nature and its components, including animals, can both enhance well-being and encourage human concern for nature. The current study details the human wellbeing impact of animals, specifically dolphins. Exploration of eight key informant narratives examined the research question, ''How do interactions with wild dolphins affect human wellbeing?'' Analyses reveal various subthemes clustered into five main themes: Connectedness, Relationships, and Reciprocity; Emotion and Aliveness; Meaning and Making Sense; Accomplishment and Intention; and Harmony and Engagement. There are strong parallels between the identified themes and Seligman's PERMA model. Interpretation of how wildlife experiences benefit humans concluded that the features of life necessary for human flourishing also characterize people's experience with wild dolphins. Practical implications for well-being benefits include health practitioner use of ''nature prescriptions'' and ''wildlife prescriptions,'' which may in turn foster a sense of responsibility and care for nature. However, the parallel dolphin well-being needs to be considered and a balanced and ecocentric view achieved. These areas warrant further research.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dolphins and Human Flourishing: A Novel Application of the PERMA Model

Yerbury

Boyd

2019

Ecopsychology

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“…For example, one likely interaction pattern involves being recognized by a nonhuman animal. One instantiation of this pattern can be seen in the following account from an earlier article in this journal (Kahn, 2009):…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Nature Language: An Agenda to Catalog, Save, and Recover Patterns of Human–Nature Interaction

et al. 2010

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We as a species are losing rich and diverse forms of interaction with nature: the awe, for example, of encountering an animal in the wild or a slug underfoot, of sleeping under the night sky, or of even seeing the night sky in our urban settings. The loss is happening quickly (in terms of decades) and potentially impoverishing us as a species, physically and psychologically. Toward addressing this problem, we propose a new research agenda that is focused on generating what we are calling a Nature Language-a way of speaking about patterns of interactions between humans and nature and their wide range of instantiations, and the meaningful, deep, and often joyful feelings that they engender. Many of these patterns presumably emerged during the course of our evolutionary history. In this article, we share some of our initial thinking about a nature language so as to initiate dialog with the ecopsychology community. If a nature language project proves successful, it will allow people to speak more readily and comprehensively about what is beautiful in our relation with nature, and what is missing but still possible if we change course.

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“…It has been said that one of the overarching problems of the world today is that we see ourselves as dominating over nature, rather than cohabitating, coexisting, and affiliating with it ( Kahn, 2009 , 2011 ; Kahn and Hasbach, 2013a , b ). Perhaps the basis for cohabitating grew out of necessity in Paleolithic times.…”

Section: The Proof Of Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling Child–Nature Interaction in a Nature Preschool: A Proof of Concept

2018

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This article provides a proof of concept for an approach to modeling child–nature interaction based on the idea of interaction patterns: characterizations of essential features of interaction between humans and nature, specified abstractly enough such that countless different instantiations of each one can occur – in more domestic or wild forms – given different types of nature, people, and purposes. The model draws from constructivist psychology, ecological psychology, and evolutionary psychology, and is grounded in observational data collected through a time-sampling methodology at a nature preschool. Through using a nature language that emphasizes ontogenetic and phylogenetic significance, seven keystone interaction patterns are described for this nature preschool: using one’s body vigorously in nature, striking wood on wood, constructing shelter, being in solitude in nature, lying on earth, cohabiting with a wild animal, and being outside in weather. These 7 interactions patterns are then brought together with 13 other patterns published elsewhere to provide a total of 20 keystone interaction patterns that begin to fill out the model, and to show its promise. Discussion focuses on what the model aims to be in terms of both product and process, on what work the model can currently do, and how to further develop the model.

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Cohabitating With the Wild

Cited by 4 publications

References 6 publications

Dolphins and Human Flourishing: A Novel Application of the PERMA Model

Dolphins and Human Flourishing: A Novel Application of the PERMA Model

A Nature Language: An Agenda to Catalog, Save, and Recover Patterns of Human–Nature Interaction

Modeling Child–Nature Interaction in a Nature Preschool: A Proof of Concept

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