On the Role of Ideas of Human Nature in Shaping Attitudes Towards Environmental Governance

Abstract

Attitudes towards the management of the natural environment have been described mainly as building on individuals' images of nature and the human-nature relationship. However, in previous qualitative research I found strong evidence that in order to understand public views on environmental policies we also need to understand individuals' beliefs about their fellow humans. The present study tested the hypothesis that beliefs about human nature and preferences for certain governance approaches-such as regulations and collective action-are related to individuals' attitudes towards concrete management measures. Survey results (n = 155), analysed by means of structural equation modelling, suggest that effects of beliefs about human nature are discernible, but not significant. I could, however, identify generic preferences for particular approaches to environmental governance. These significantly explained variation in attitudes towards environmental governance in an applied context, suggesting a strong need for further research in this politically highly relevant field.

Energy use, climate change and folk psychology: Does sustainability have a chance? Results from a qualitative study in five European countries

“…Glenk and Fischer (2010) investigated how two policy options to reduce climate change-related risks of flooding and water scarcity were perceived with regard to a set of governance-related values such as efficiency and solidarity. In a previous quantitative study (Fischer, 2010), we explored links between preferences for governance approaches and images of humankind, investigating attitudes towards regulations as opposed to collective action in the management of a national park, and the relationship of these attitudes to people's images of humankind as either generally trustworthy or as needing strict control. Results suggested, for example, that the more respondents trusted in people, the less they were in favour of strict regulations.…”

“…Our previous work (Fischer, 2010) suggests that views on the suitability of environmental governance approaches might be related to people's perceptions of humankind, rather than only to their views on the object of the policy, be it energy, nature conservation or climate change. For example, where humans are seen to be generally egoistic and uncaring for others' well-being, policies that are based on voluntary restrictions of resource use are not likely to be considered as effective.…”

Social representations of governance for change towards sustainability: perspectives of sustainability advocates

“…Psychological perspectives on environmental governance are still a niche topic (Castro and Batel 2008, Fischer 2010, DeCaro and Stokes 2013, Schulz et al 2017, and governance as such -beyond the study of attitudes towards very specific policy tools such as taxes -receives little attention in environmental psychology.…”

Using Canonical Correlation Analysis to Identify Environmental Attitude Groups: Considerations for National Forest Planning in the Southwestern U.S.

“…In this investigation, (forest) values are defined as an ''enduring conception of the good related to forest and forest ecosystems'' (Bengston and Xu 1995, p. 1). Such values are influenced by the social context in which they are formed and can differ across different population groups (Clement and Cheng 2011;Fischer 2010), but once formed are considered stable over time (Manning et al 1999;Stern et al 1995). In the context of resource planning, (forest) values are assumed to influence environmental attitudes (Dietz et al 2005;McFarlane and Boxall 1996) and help predict public reaction to changes in forest policy (Bengston 1994;Tarrant et al 2003).…”

“…Long-term policies must also address how changes in demographic characteristics are likely to affect management plans (Larson et al 2011;Shinew et al 2006). Thus, developing policies that align with the public's preferences is challenging but necessary, and management plans must reflect national concerns as well as local attitudes (Clement and Cheng 2011;Fischer 2010). Using over 5,800 survey responses to a set of 25 Public Land Value statements (developed in prior national surveys), the objective of this investigation is to apply a combination of statistical methods to identify a robust set of general environmental attitudinal groups present in a sample of regional households.…”