Lay People's Images of Nature: Comprehensive Frameworks of Values, Beliefs, and Value Orientations

TLDR

Research on public attitudes toward nature conservation often treats values, beliefs, and value orientations as separate cognitions. The article proposes a holistic framework that integrates these attitudinal components into “images of nature” to help managers understand conflicts and facilitate expert–public discussions. Qualitative research in the Netherlands identified five ideal types of images of nature—wilderness, autonomy, inclusive, aesthetic, and functional—each emphasizing different values (individualistic, holistic, beauty, or utilitarian) and carrying distinct implications for resource management.

Abstract

Research on attitudes of the general public toward nature conservation often focuses on values, beliefs, or value orientations as separate cognitions. This article argues for a more holistic approach that integrates various attitudinal components into comprehensive frameworks or "images of nature." Based on qualitative studies in the Netherlands, five ideal types of images of nature were derived: the wilderness image, the autonomy image, the inclusive image, the aesthetic image, and the functional image, all with different implications for natural resource management. Some images focus on either individualistic or holistic interpretations of the intrinsic value of nature, while others focus more on beautiful landscapes or utilitarian functions. Integrating the pluralism of cognitions into images of nature may help managers to understand conflicts based on diverging opinions on local nature conservation practices. In participatory processes, images of nature may function as sensitizing concepts to facilitate discussions between experts and the general public.