What is Nature? A Prototype Analysis of the Natural Environment

Given the inconsistent definitions of nature, we used a bottom-up protype approach (total N = 824) to solicit features of the natural environment (Study 1) and centrality ratings of those features (Study 2). Study 3 tested the prototype structure via ratings of scenarios composed of highly prototypical (vs. less prototypical) features. Over 100 features were generated, and features like wildlife, trees, and ecosystems were rated as most central, with features associated with people much less so. Results of Study 3 supported the protype structure with high (vs. low) prototypical scenarios rated higher in naturalness. We also explored individual differences in subjective nature connectedness; highly connected people generated more features and rated features as more prototypical. The nature protype provides a resource for researchers and practitioners to design or assess stimuli/spaces that fit people's views of nature, and we discuss the useful scope of this prototype (e.g., across geography and identities).