Zero-Sum Beliefs Between Nature and Humanity: The Relationship With Life Satisfaction

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Social Psychology
• Human Ecology

Background:

• Environmental decisions are often perceived as win-lose scenarios between human needs and nature conservation.
• Zero-sum beliefs regarding the relationship between nature and humanity (ZSB-NH) may influence life satisfaction.
• Existing research indicates zero-sum beliefs in human relationships negatively impact life satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between ZSB-NH and life satisfaction in Australian adults.
• To determine if ZSB-NH predicts life satisfaction after accounting for related psychological constructs.
• To explore the moderating or mediating roles of connectedness to nature, connectedness to humanity, and nature exposure.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 363 Australian adults.
• Measures included ZSB-NH, zero-sum beliefs in human relations, connectedness to nature, connectedness to humanity, nature exposure, demographics, and life satisfaction.
• Statistical analyses, including regression, were used to examine the predictive relationships.

Main Results:

• Initially, ZSB-NH was a nonsignificant predictor of life satisfaction.
• When controlling for related constructs, ZSB-NH became a significant positive predictor of life satisfaction (β = 0.15, p = 0.01).
• Connectedness to humanity and nature exposure acted as suppressors, influencing the ZSB-NH-life satisfaction link.

Conclusions:

• Holding zero-sum beliefs about the human-nature relationship may not be detrimental and could potentially enhance life satisfaction.
• Promoting ZSB-NH might have adverse effects on prosocial and pro-environmental behaviors.
• Interventions should carefully consider strategies to foster life satisfaction within social and environmental decision-making contexts.