Nature is Scary, Disgusting, and Uncomfortable

Abstract

The relationships between fear expectancy, disgust sensitivity, desire for modem comforts, and preference for wildland and built environments and related activiffes were examined. Using a population of predominantly suburban and rural eighth-grade students (n =450), all three variables were found to be significantly related to preferences for wildland environments, recreational activifies, and vocational preferences. Those with high fear expectancy, disgust sensitivity, and desire for modem comforts were more likely to prefer manicured park settings and urban environments and to dislike wildland environments. They were also more likely to prefer indoor social recreation activities and express significantly less interest in future careers working in outdoor environments. Finally, they were less likely to prefer appropnate water bodies for conductng an aquatic entomology lab. Studying negative perceptions may complement existing environmental preference research, which has tended to focus on why people prefer certain environments.