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Psychologically Connecting with Wildlife: Using Human Intergroup Interaction
Theories to Understand the Treatment of Animals and Nature
Brittany Bloodhart, Ph.D.& Janet K. Swim, Ph.D.
Pathways ConferenceOctober 8, 2014
Introduction
• Can Social Psychology inform Human & Wildlife interactions?
– KEY: Connecting psychologically with the issue
1. Values2. Empathy3. Relativity
EcoFeminism
• Psychological Connection Values• Do we value:
– All people equally?– Some groups more than others?
(racism, sexism, etc)
– The interdependence of people and nature?– Humans using and exploiting nature?
Hegemonic / Dominance Values
Exploitation of Women
Exploitation of the
Environment
Mastery vs.
Harmony
Hierarchy vs.
Egalitarianism
Hegemonic Values
Bloodhart & Swim, 2010
Exploitation of Women
Exploitation of the
Environment
Mastery vs.
Harmony
Hierarchy vs.
EgalitarianismHegemonic
Values
B = .201*
B = .822**
B = .49* B = .28*
** p < .01, * p < .05
Psychological Connection Empathy• Impacts of climate change on
animals (Swim & Bloodhart, 2014)
– Empathic message• “Imagine how the animal feels, and what
has happened to it”
– Objective message• “Remain objective and detached. Don’t get
caught up in emotions”
• Participants given $1– Told they could donate it, keep it, or
return it to the researchers.
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
Money to self
Money to en-vironmental group
Mon
ey
(in
ce
nts
)
Psychological Connections
• Values ✔• Empathy ✔• Relativity
Relativity
• Psychological Connection Relativity– Groups that are Relative to the Self
• Human Intergroup Relations– Prejudiced toward groups we see as
“other”• “Derogation of Out-group”
– Prejudice Reduction Techniques• Share common experiences and goals• Work collaboratively on a task• Recognize positive qualities / breakdown
stereotypes
Relativity
• Relative Comparisons & Pro- Environmental Behavior
– Being pro-environmental can sometimes mean perceived restriction or loss of “privileges”
– If “everyone else” has same/more privilege, the anticipated loss of privilege seems unfair (deprivation)
– BUT – if “everyone else” include those with LESS privilege, loss of privilege doesn‘t seem unfair
Target Groups
• Animals• People in the Global South• Women
Feel Deprived
*Interaction is not significant*MEs are not significant
No Information Climate Change Information1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
2.2
Not RelativeRelative
*
*
Behavioral Willingness
No Information Climate Change Information6
6.2
6.4
6.6
6.8
7
7.2
7.4
7.6
Not RelativeRelative
Willingness to Engage in Pro-Environmental Behavior
Subject Pool5.6
5.8
6
6.2
6.4
6.6
6.8
7
7.2
7.4
7.15
6.67
6.2
Animals
Global South
Women
Effect of Target GroupA
A, BB
• Questions?
Thank you [email protected]
Colorado State UniversityDepartment of Psychology
George Mason UniversityCenter for Climate Change Communication
