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Culture and the natural environment
Taciano L Milfont1, P Wesley Schultz2
1Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Wellington, New Zealand.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|March 7, 2018
Summary
Global environmental concern is widespread across cultures, with most people valuing nature protection. Psychological factors like future thinking may influence environmental attitudes and behaviors, despite cultural differences.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Sociology of Environment
Background:
- Human-environment interactions are shaped by cultural norms and values.
- Understanding cross-cultural variations in environmental attitudes is crucial for global conservation efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and discuss cross-cultural differences and similarities in environmental concern, risk perception, and pro-environmental behavior.
- To explore potential psychological universals influencing environmental attitudes and behaviors.
- To analyze global support for environmental protection.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on environmental psychology and cross-cultural studies.
- Analysis of cross-cultural data on environmental attitudes and behaviors.
- Theoretical exploration of psychological universals (future thinking, self-transcendent orientation, psychological distance).
Main Results:
- Significant cross-cultural similarities exist in environmental concern and the value placed on environmental protection.
- An overwhelming majority of the global population expresses support for environmental protection.
- Psychological universals like future thinking may be associated with pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, though cultural variations exist.
Conclusions:
- Environmental concern and the value of 'looking after the environment' are widely shared globally.
- Psychological factors can influence environmental attitudes and behaviors across diverse cultures.
- Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between culture, psychology, and environmental action.
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