Views of Nature Frames

Views of nature frames revolve around an individual's particular orientation toward the effects of human interaction on the natural environment. These orientations constitute the frames through which these individuals interpret and respond to particular policy options that interact in some way with the environment. These frames center around three main orientations toward the environment, and can be measured in terms of high, medium, or low levels of agreement.

Use: Should the environment be used for human benefit?

Low agreement:
Medium agreement:
High agreement:

Protection: Should the environment be protected?

Low:
Medium:
High:

Regenerativity: Can the environment regenerate itself?

Low:
Medium:
High:

Individuals framing the environment's use, protection, and regenerativity along the sliding scale between low, medium, and high levels of agreement will tend to respond to environmental concerns accordingly. For example, if a lumber company executive believes that the environment has a high level of regenerativity, he or she would likely behave in ways that are consistent with the idea that the Earth's resources can replenish themselves. Alternatively, an environmentalist who believes that the environment should be approached with a high level of protection will likely advocate those policies that minimize development, especially in environmentally sensitive areas.

Additional Resources:

Lewicki, Roy J., Barbara Gray, and Michael Elliott. Making Sense of Intractable Environmental Conflicts: Concepts and Cases. Island Press, 2003.

Davis, Craig B. and Roy J. Lewicki. "Environmental Conflict Resolution: Framing and Intractability -- An Introduction." Environmental Practice. Vol. 5, No. 3. September, 2003.