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

Environmental decisions are often framed as win-lose trade-offs between nature and humanity, where gains for the environment are considered losses for humanity, and vice-versa. These zero-sum beliefs regarding the relationship between nature and humanity (ZSB-NH) may have implications for life satisfaction, given that zero-sum beliefs in human relationships are known to negatively impact life satisfaction. Furthermore, several related constructs overlap with both ZSB-NH and life satisfaction. This study predicted that ZSB-NH would negatively predict life satisfaction and would do so after also accounting for related constructs. Australian adults (N = 363, 59% female, M_age = 60.86) completed an online survey containing measures of ZSB-NH, zero-sum beliefs in human relations, connectedness to nature, connectedness to humanity, nature exposure, demographics, and life satisfaction. Unexpectedly, ZSB-NH was found to be a nonsignificant predictor of life satisfaction when considered alone. When accounting for the related constructs, ZSB-NH emerged as a significant positive predictor of life satisfaction (β = 0.15, p = 0.01), with the bivariate effects of connectedness to nature and to humanity diminishing. Additional analyses revealed connectedness to humanity and nature exposure, but not connectedness to nature, were suppressing the bivariate relationship between ZSB-NH and life satisfaction. Overall, the study concludes that holding zero-sum beliefs about the human nature relationship may not be inherently detrimental to life satisfaction, and may in fact enhance it; however, promoting these beliefs may come with negative consequences for prosocial or pro-environmental behaviors. As such, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike should consider developing strategies which address this, ensuring that interventions effectively promote life satisfaction in the context of social and environmental decision-making.