The association between anthropomorphism of nature and pro-environmental variables: A systematic review

Williams, Marc O.; Whitmarsh, Lorraine; Chríost, Diarmait Mac Giolla

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109022

Cited by 36 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…These results are in line with other studies showing that humans are more willing to invest in the conservation of species that are phylogenetically closer to humans and thus more likely to be anthropomorphized [22][23][24][25][26]. In other countries, the link between anthropomorphism, mutualism and/or better attitude toward animals is also relatively well established (see [27]). Anthropomorphism, for instance, predicted students' intentions to become vegetarian and vegan in Spain [28], worse attitudes toward meat consumption in the USA [29], and a better attitude toward several species in the UK [30].…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Link between Modernization, Anthropomorphism and Attitude to Wildlife

et al. 2021

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Anthropogenic pressure has significantly increased in the last decades, often enhancing conflicts at the human–wildlife interface. Therefore, understanding peoples’ value orientations, attitudes and behavioural intentions towards wildlife is a crucial endeavour to reduce the occurrence of conflicts between humans and wildlife. Previous research in the USA has shown a consistent link between modernization and increased anthropomorphism (i.e., the tendency to attribute human mental or physical characteristics to other entities), leading to positive changes in value orientations, attitudes, and behavioural intentions towards wildlife. In this paper, we aimed to address whether this link is also present in other cultures, by testing participants (N = 741) in five different countries (Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Spain). Our study shows that while the positive link between anthropomorphism, positive attitudes and behavioural intentions towards wildlife is universal, the link between modernization and anthropomorphism is culturally mediated. In some countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Spain), modernization increased anthropomorphism, while in others modernization predicted no differences (Brazil) or even a decrease in anthropomorphism (Mexico), ultimately deteriorating individuals’ attitude and behavioural intentions towards wildlife. These results call for caution when generalizing findings from western industrialized countries to inform conservation policies worldwide.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 90%

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Link between Modernization, Anthropomorphism and Attitude to Wildlife

et al. 2021

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“…One of the main strengths of the present study is that it is amongst the first research to investigate anthropomorphism of nature and pro-environmental support, through the novel context of the coronavirus pandemic. The current body of research is small, with a recent review noting that only 15 studies of good quality have examined the relationship between anthropomorphism and pro-environmental variables ( Williams et al, 2021 ). Moreover, although some past studies have examined anthropomorphism of nature ( Tam, 2019 ; Tam, 2013b), the majority have used animals as targets (e.g., Wang & Bassow, 2019 ) and little is known about the moderators of the relationship between the anthropomorphism of nature and pro-environmental outcomes ( Williams et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Also, as we have only cross-sectional data, we can make no claims about the causal relations between variables. Finally, the use of bespoke measures for the predictor and outcome variables is a limitation, particularly as this is a widespread practice in research on anthropomorphism and pro-environmental variables ( Williams et al, 2021 ). This research is also limited as we did not examine participants’ attributions of the origins of the COVID-19 virus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Be Good to Your Mother (Earth): The Relationship between Anthropomorphising Nature, Financial Insecurity, and Support for Pro-environmental Policies in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Borovik

Pensini

2022

Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology

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Anthropomorphism of nature is known to be related to pro-environmental outcomes; however, little is known about these variables in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. The economic impact of the prolonged lockdowns may disrupt the historical relationship between these variables, as financial insecurity may compete with environmental concerns for consideration. This study examined the relationship between anthropomorphism of nature the context of COVID-19, and pro-environmental support, and the potential moderating role of financial insecurity in this relationship. It was hypothesised that anthropomorphism of nature in the context of COVID-19 would have a lesser effect on pro-environmental support for individuals who experienced financial insecurity during the pandemic. Participants ( N =615 ; M age =48.71, SD age =17.50; 70% female) completed self-report measures of anthropomorphism of nature, anthropomorphism of nature in the context of COVID-19, financial insecurity, and a measure of support for pro-environmental policies in the economic recovery from COVID-19. Results demonstrated that, after controlling for general anthropomorphism of nature, anthropomorphism of nature in the context of COVID-19 predicted pro-environmental support ( R 2 = .05, F (4, 610) = 8.36, p < .001). However, contrary to expectation, pro-environmental support was higher in those experiencing financial insecurity compared to those who were financially secure ( B = -2.65, BootSE= .93, p = .004, 95% BootCI [-4.47, -.83]). Financial insecurity also did not moderate the relationship between anthropomorphism of nature in the COVID-19 context and pro-environmental support. Furthermore, the general tendency to anthropomorphise nature was not a significant predictor of support for pro-environmental policies. These findings have important implications for understandings of anthropomorphism, financial insecurity, and environmental protection as well as for public policy on economic recovery in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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“…Anthropomorphic metaphors, as all conflictual metaphors, are open to interpretation, hence their reproduction in the TT is reliant on the translator's cultural framework and translation strategy. Firstly, anthropomorphism entails subjective assessment of similarity (Williams et al, 2021). Secondly, the need to access a culturally salient understanding of the notion underlying a metaphor, without which the transfer cannot take place, confirms the intrinsically cultural nature of anthropomorphism (Dancygier & Sweetser, 2014, p. 141).…”

Section: Anthropomorphism and Anthropomorphic Metaphorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Translating Anthropomorphic Metaphors: An Ecostylistic Contrastive Analysis of Grazia Deledda’s The Mother

Fois¹

2021

IJEL

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This contribution explores the translation of anthropomorphic metaphors via a contrastive analysis of La madre, by the Sardinian Nobel Laureate in Literature Grazia Deledda, and its 1922 translation (The Mother) by Mary Steegman. It will be argued that the target readers’ perception of the symbolic relationship between landscape and cultural identity, which Deledda presents metaphorically through the use of anthropomorphism, can be reshaped by the translator’s interpretation. To explore the patterns that reveal the translator’s approach to anthropomorphic metaphors, the study will be based on Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT), notably Prandi’s distinction and theory on metaphor translation (2019), and ecostylistics.

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The association between anthropomorphism of nature and pro-environmental variables: A systematic review

Cited by 36 publications

References 50 publications

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Link between Modernization, Anthropomorphism and Attitude to Wildlife

A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Link between Modernization, Anthropomorphism and Attitude to Wildlife

Be Good to Your Mother (Earth): The Relationship between Anthropomorphising Nature, Financial Insecurity, and Support for Pro-environmental Policies in the Context of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Translating Anthropomorphic Metaphors: An Ecostylistic Contrastive Analysis of Grazia Deledda’s The Mother

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