Exploring human nature

Exploring human nature takes the reader deep into the human experience of being in nature. Our current ecological predicament highlights the need to change people's nature awareness and behaviour. This pioneering mixed methods study investigates a method to do this through facilitated Solo time in the wilderness. Solo time is an ancient, ritualised and pan-cultural practice of spending time alone in nature, that has been reintroduced into our current time and culture.The study focuses on the phenomenology of young adults' immersive experiences in nature and the evaluation of long term impact on their personal development, their relationship with nature, community participation and ecological behaviour.However, this work is not only about the content of research, it is also about how research is done. On a methodological level the study takes a systemic approach: it explores and integrates an expanded, interconnected worldview and methodology. In practice, this encompasses working with participants' dreams as data and including different ways of knowing in an expanded view on validity. It also includes collecting data on the researcher's own experience and integrating it as a parallel narrative in the thesis.In this manner the book not only tackles the pressing issue of an increasing psychological and physical separation between humans and nature. It also calls into question how conventional research and its prevailing tendency to investigate the world in isolated pieces may contribute to the problem.Overall, this book provides a practical example of how a systemic approach may be integrated in the research process and in academic writing. It also serves as a valuable reference point for future work on promising triggers for change and highlights powerful elements for prospective programmes focussing on individual empowerment, sustainability and nature awareness. It addresses all researchers interested in ecopsychology and experiential education but also those who are curious to explore subjectivity as part of an expanded worldview and methodology in research.Contents:AcknowledgementsContentsList Of TablesList Of Figures1 Introduction1.1 Current Situation And Problem Statement1.2 Outlook For The Present Work1.3 Self-Reflective Preface2 The Human-Nature Relationship Through The Lens Of Contemporary Science2.1 The Emotional And Social Dimension Of Human Care For Nature2.1.1 The Influence Of Emotions2.1.2 Coping Mechanisms And The Role Of Hope2.1.3 The Human Disposition To Imitate2.1.4 The Influence Of Social Norms2.1.5 Environmental Identity And The Social Environment2.2 The Relational And Experiential Dimension Of Human Care For Nature2.2.1 Environmental Identity And The Experience Of Nature2.2.2 Nature Connectedness2.2.3 Formative Experiences In The Course Of Life2.2.4 Transcendence And The Human Experience Of Nature3 The Human-Nature Relationship Through The Lens Of An Expanded Worldview3.1 A Brief History Of The Human-Nature Relationship3.2 Expanding The Contemporary Worldview3.2.1 A Critical Examination Of The Contemporary Worldview3.2.2 A Brief Introduction To Deep Ecology3.3 An Ancient Practice Revisited - Solos In Nature3.3.1 Introduction3.3.2 The Structure Of The Solo As A Rite Of Passage3.3.3 Research Findings3.3.3.1 Framework Of The Solo3.3.3.2 The Experience Of Solitude3.3.3.3 Life Significance Of A Solo Experience4 Mixed Methods Enquiry Of Immersive Experiences In Wild Nature4.1 Overarching Aims And Objectives4.2 Extracted Hypotheses And Research Questions4.2.1 Quantitative Research Questions And Hypotheses4.2.1.1 Relationship With Nature4.2.1.2 Personal Value System4.2.1.3 Attitudes Towards Others And Life4.2.1.4 Empowerment4.2.1.5 Environmental Behaviour And Community Engagement4.2.2 Qualitative Research Questions4.2.3 Mixed Methods Research Question4.3 Method4.3.1 Introduction To The Mixed Methods Approach4.3.2 The Applied Mixed Methods Approach4.3.2.1 Defining The Research Process And Design4.3.2.2 Defining The Worldview And Philosophical Assumptions4.3.2.3 Rationale For The Applied Mixed Methods Approach And Additional Applications4.3.2.4 Expansion Of The Applied Mixed Methods Approach4.3.3 Evaluated Programmes4.3.3.1 The Butterfly Effect Programme4.3.3.2 The Solo-Only Programme4.3.4 Sample Description And Data Collection4.3.4.1 The Butterfly Sample4.3.4.2 The Solo-Only Sample4.3.5 Quantitative Research Strand4.3.5.1 Quantitative Outcome Measures4.3.5.2 Quantitative Data Analysis4.3.6 Qualitative Research Strand4.3.6.1 Open-Ended Storytelling Question4.3.6.2 Qualitative Interview Approach And Procedure4.3.6.3 Qualitative Data Transcription4.3.6.4 Qualitative Data Analysis4.3.6.5 Reliability And Validity Of The Qualitative Research Strand4.3.7 Expanding The View Of Validity4.3.8 Self-Reflection On Different Ways Of Knowing In The Research Process4.4 Results4.4.1 Phenomenology And Underlying Processes Of Immersive Experiences In Wild Nature4.4.1.1 Experiencing Interconnectedness With Nature4.4.1.2 Contextualising The Experience Of Interconnectedness With Nature4.4.1.3 Perceptual State And Attitude When In Nature4.4.1.4 Psychological Effects Of The Solo Time Ritual4.4.1.5 The Underlying Process In Nature Experiences - From Attaining Self-Access To Gaining Insight4.4.1.6 The Solo Time Through The Lens Of The Phenomenology Of Consciousness Inventory (Pci)4.4.2 Further Emergent Contributing Features And Processes Of The Butterfly Effect Programme4.4.2.1 Common Ground4.4.2.2 Role Models For The Practicability Of Change4.4.2.3 Feasibility Of Community4.4.2.4 Interconnectedness With Others4.4.2.5 Attaining Self-Access Through Others And Associated Supportive Aspects Of The Solo Ritual4.4.3 Qualitative Evaluation Of The Long-Term Effects Of The Butterfly Effect Programme4.4.3.1 Nature-Related Changes4.4.3.2 Changes Related To Others4.4.3.3 Changes Related To Self4.4.3.4 World And Life-Related Changes4.4.3.5 Activism And Motivators For Behaviour Change4.4.3.6 Comparison Of Code Occurrences Across Samples4.4.4 Quantitative Immediate Effects4.4.4.1 Relationship With Nature And Coping With Environmental Problems4.4.4.2 Personal Value System4.4.4.3 Attitudes Towards Others And Life4.4.4.4 Empowerment4.4.5 Quantitative Long-Term Changes4.4.5.1 Inclusion Of Nature In Self (Ins)4.4.5.2 Proenvironmental Behaviour (Peb)4.4.5.3 Community Participation4.4.5.4 Current Contact With Nature4.4.5.5 Retrospective Overall Programme Evaluation4.4.6 Exploring Quantitative Patterns Of Change4.4.6.1 Community Engagement4.4.6.2 Proenvironmental Behaviour4.4.6.3 Activism, Concern For The Environment And Nature Connectedness4.4.6.4 Coping With Environmental Problems4.4.6.5 Values, Beliefs And Attitudes4.4.6.6 Sense Of Community4.4.7 The Influence Of The Control Variables5 Intuitive Dream Enquiry5.1 Introduction5.2 Distilling The Objective Of The Dream Study5.3 Method5.3.1 Outline Of The Intersubjective-Heuristic Method5.3.2 Sample5.3.3 Dream Data5.3.4 Applied Elements And Stages Of The Intersubjective-Heuristic Method5.3.4.1 The Co-Researcher5.3.4.2 Procedure Of The Focusing Session5.3.4.3 Stages Of Application5.4 Results5.4.1 Results Of The Intersubjective-Heuristic Enquiry5.4.1.1 Reflection On The Process And Emerged Images5.4.1.2 The Dreams In The Mirror Of The Hero's Journey5.4.1.3 Explication5.4.1.4 Creative Synthesis5.4.2 Results Of The Applied Thematic Analysis5.4.2.1 Common Themes5.4.2.2 Pattern Of Dream Themes5.4.2.3 Summary5.5 Discussion5.5.1 The Interface Between Results5.5.2 Dreams As Data And Methodological Considerations6 Overall Discussion6.1 Summary And Integration Of Survey, Interview And Dream Data6.1.1 Phenomenology Of Immersive Experiences In Wild Nature6.1.1.1 Perceptual State And Attitude In Nature6.1.1.2 The Experience Of Interconnectedness With Nature6.1.1.3 Meta-Level Process As Revealed By The Dream Study6.1.1.4 Characteristic Common Features Of The Solo Time6.1.2 Short- And Long-Term Programme Evaluation Outcomes6.1.2.1 Nature-Related Changes6.1.2.2 Changes Related To Others6.1.2.3 Changes Related To Self6.1.2.4 World And Life-Related Changes6.1.2.5 Comparison Between Butterfly And Solo-Only Sample6.1.3 Activism As Part Of The Long-Term Results6.1.4 Interconnectedness And Separateness As Meta-Level Outcomes6.2 Further Elaborations Of Selected Outcomes6.2.1 Nature Experience6.2.2 The Social Dimension Of Nature Experiences6.2.3 Meaning-Making6.2.3.1 Meaning-Making And The Power Of Stories6.2.3.2 Meaning-Making And Hope6.3 Methodological Considerations6.4 Self-Reflection On The Research Process7 Conclusion7.1 Practical Implications7.2 Closing WordsReferencesAppendicesAppendix A Rules Of TranscriptionAppendix B Man-Whitney Test Significance Values For Differences Between The Butterfly And Solo-Only Sample Regarding The Pci DimensionsAppendix C Daily Butterfly Programme