Human-to-nature relationship is psychology

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between humans and nature, particularly from a psychological perspective. Participants explore whether psychology adequately addresses this relationship and express various opinions on the significance of human interactions with the natural world. The conversation touches on personal experiences, environmental concerns, and the role of psychology in understanding these dynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that psychology has largely ignored the human-to-nature relationship, questioning whether it should be a genuine concern.
  • Another participant expresses a stark view of nature, emphasizing a predatory relationship and questioning the intelligence of plants.
  • Some participants mention that certain areas of psychology, like evolutionary psychology, might touch on the human-nature relationship.
  • A participant argues that there are existing university programs focused on environmental management, suggesting that psychological studies may not be necessary.
  • One participant shares their experience with organic gardening and the importance of avoiding pesticides for both personal health and ecological benefits.
  • There is a discussion about the challenges of dealing with pests like Japanese beetles, with suggestions about using cats as natural predators, though concerns about plant damage are raised.
  • Another participant reflects on the enjoyment of nature, suggesting that psychology has studied the psychology of enjoyment extensively.
  • Links to land stewardship programs are shared, indicating that many people are concerned about nature and its relationship with humanity.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the need for psychological studies on environmental concerns, questioning the value of such research.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the relevance of psychology to the human-nature relationship, with no consensus reached. Some believe psychology should engage more with environmental issues, while others argue that existing fields and programs already address these concerns adequately.

Contextual Notes

Participants express various assumptions about the role of psychology, the necessity of psychological studies, and the effectiveness of personal environmental practices. The discussion includes differing perspectives on the relationship between humans and nature, highlighting the complexity of the topic.

zion
The one discipline that, sad to say, has hitherto remained virtually untouched by any concern for the environment or the human-to-nature relationship is psychology. You will search in vain in the texts and journals of any of the major schools of psychology—clinical, behaviorist, cognitive, physiological, humanistic or transpersonal—for any theory or research concerning the most basic fact of human existence: the fact of our relationship to the natural world of which we are a part.
Any thoughts on whether your relationship with nature is or should be a genuine concern?
 
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Welcome to PF, Zion.
I certainly can't speak for any of the others here.
My view is that my ancestors spent millions of years to put me at the top of the food chain, and I intend to remain there. The only pleasure that I derive from eating is in knowing that something died violently so that I could eat it. The perfect fast-food is a chainsaw and a cow... fire is optional.
I wouldn't consume a carrot until some idiot in California announced that plants were intelligent. And if I don't hear one of those little orange bastards scream pretty soon, they're off of my diet.
 
Freud wrote on that subject.
 
You wouldn't really expect most of psychology to try to tackle that one because psychology is very specific in what it studies, and it's almost all internal.

A few areas of psychology are focused on that though, evolutionary psychology, for example.
 
zion, I forgot to ban you the other day for spamming your website advertising
Sustainable Soul Coaching, Nature Deficit Disorder, Holistic Outdoor Counseling, etc... "Learn how to help nature recycle and heal wounded or polluted thoughts and feelings."
Sorry, we don't allow this kind of thing here.
 
Evo said:
zion, I forgot to ban you the other day

Don't ban him, dammit! Throw him on the BBQ; I'm hungry.
 
:smile: :smile: :smile:

I assume since he's still here, that your giving him a second chance?
 
Smurf said:
:smile: :smile: :smile:

I assume since he's still here, that your giving him a second chance?
Time to line out his name?
 
Well, I'm all for second chances. I'm pretty sure I've had one or two over the years.
 
  • #10
Smurf said:
Well, I'm all for second chances. I'm pretty sure I've had one or two over the years.

Yes, but you had those GOOBF cards. I forget how you earned them.
 
  • #11
It had something to do with copious amounts of chocolate that somehow slipped past the border guards.
 
  • #12
They'd got engaged together! :wink:
 
  • #13
Looks like he's been posting this same things in many forums.
 
  • #14
Actually, I never got any GOOBF cards. :cry: I didn't need them because I got immunity from the engagement.
 
  • #15
Smurf said:
Actually, I never got any GOOBF cards. :cry: I didn't need them because I got immunity from the engagement.
Yep, you had unlimited immunity at one time, then you cheated on me. :devil: And just after I finished our matching his & her gowns. :cry:
 
  • #16
Evo said:
And just after I finished our matching his & her gowns. :cry:
:smile::smile::smile:
 
  • #17
for any theory or research concerning the most basic fact of human existence: the fact of our relationship to the natural world of which we are a part.
Why would there need to be a theory or research. We are part of nature. There are those who exploit it, and there are those who care for it. There are university programs in forestry and wildlife management, etc. Why would there need to by a psychological study?

Any thoughts on whether your relationship with nature is or should be a genuine concern?
Why should it be a concern? Should I be concerned about being outside in the sun, or gardening, or managing the trees on my property?

I do organic gardening so that the fruit and vegetables are free of pesticides, which is beneficial to myself, my family, and the beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, preying mantisses, ladybugs, . . .

Right now in raspberry season, I manually remove Japanese beetles from the raspberries, blackberries and other plants. We also use beetle traps. I sure wish I could find a natural predator of Japanese beetles.
 
  • #18
Astronuc said:
I sure wish I could find a natural predator of Japanese beetles.
Cats. All the cats here go after bugs. The strays just had kittens, how many do you want? Of course I can't guarantee what condition your plants will be in after the cats polish off the beetles. At least your beetle problem will be solved.
 
Last edited:
  • #19
I think Japanese beetles have a bad taste. I don't know of anything that goes after them - even cats.

Evo said:
The strays just had kittens, how many do you want?
So you're inundated with kittens - again?
 
  • #20
Astronuc said:
I think Japanese beetles have a bad taste. I don't know of anything that goes after them - even cats.

So your inundated with kittens - again?
They don't eat them, they just catch them and play with them until they're dead. They do the same with wasps.
 
  • #21
I'd need a herd of cats. :smile:

And they'd probably trash the raspberry plants.
 
  • #22
The one discipline that, sad to say, has hitherto remained virtually untouched by any concern for the environment or the human-to-nature relationship is psychology.
I'm still mulling over this statement.

When people go to national parks and enjoy the scenery and the wildlife, that involves the human-to-nature relationship. I'm quite sure that the field of psychology has studied to death the psychology of enjoyment. :rolleyes:

We also have bird feeders and enjoy the various birds that share our backyard, which is another good reason not to use pesticides.

We have a butterfly garden which attracts butterflies and a variety of bees.


How about land stewardship programs?
http://www.landstewardshipproject.org/

http://www.usccls.org/

http://www.csuchicoag.org/Majors_and_Options/Land_Stewardship/Land_Stewardship.asp

Even the Canadians have them.
http://www.landstewardship.org/home.asp

There are many people who are concerned about nature and man's relationship to it!

I fail to see the need for psychologists to study the psychology of feeling concerned about Nature.

Maybe MIH can provide some insight.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #23
Astronuc said:
I'd need a herd of cats. :smile:
One herd on it's way.
 

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