Evolutionary and socio-cultural influences on feelings and attitudes towards nature: a cross-cultural study

Fox, Dorothy and Xu, Faye (2016) Evolutionary and socio-cultural influences on feelings and attitudes towards nature: a cross-cultural study. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 22 (2). pp. 187-199. ISSN 1094-1665

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Abstract

Mounting environmental issues have prompted reconsideration of the human–nature relationship. Accordingly, attitudes to nature, as an important dimension of human–nature interactions, have become a research focus. How feelings and attitudes towards nature are influenced by evolutionary and social-cultural constructions, and whether there is variation between different cultural groups, demands more attention. Using a survey of visitors to two very different National Parks, the New Forest National Park, England and Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, China, this paper shows that of nationality and living environment, differences between the two nationalities were significant in respect of both attitudes and feelings. Specifically, it demonstrates that the biophilia thesis, which purports that people have an innate and a genetically inherited need for affiliation with nature, is influenced by their socio-cultural environment, in particular their national culture, but also by their current living place. The study contributes to our understanding of sustainable tourism in natural areas.

Item Type: Article
Identifier: 10.1080/10941665.2016.1217894
Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research on 16/06/2016, available online: https://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10941665.2016.1217894.
Keywords: Anthropocentric, ecocentric, biophilia, nature attitude, national park
Subjects: Hospitality and tourism > Tourism > Eco-tourism
Hospitality and tourism > Tourism
Hospitality and tourism > Tourism > Tourism management
Hospitality and tourism
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Faye Xu
Date Deposited: 18 Jun 2020 10:33
Last Modified: 06 Feb 2024 16:03
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/7055

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