Title: Cultural Frameworks to Human & Nature Interconnection
Course: Nature & Human Wellness eeCourse > Section: Module 2: Biological Foundations to Nature & Human Interconnection

Culture & Our Environment

Our perspectives, attitudes, beliefs, values, and relationship with the natural world can be deeply influenced by both our cultural conditioning and worldviews. And our cultural backgrounds and worldviews can have a direct impact on humans ability to act as stewards of the land. Because of this, cultural context is an essential variable to include when thinking broadly about the human - nature connection. In this section, we’ll briefly explore how both culture and worldviews may shape our understanding of the relationship between ourselves and the natural world, and how cultural diversity and biodiversity are directly linked.

TASK:  Read a brief description of culture below.

Culture refers to the set of shared beliefs, values, customs, traditions, languages, arts, and social behaviors that characterize a particular group of people. It encompasses the way of life and identity of a community or society, influencing how individuals within that group perceive the world, interact with each other, and make sense of their experiences. Culture is transmitted across generations through social learning and plays a central role in shaping human behavior, norms, and societal institutions.

Through an evolutionary lens, culture can be seen as a behavioral adaptation that is sustained through cultural inheritance. Cultural inheritance is the passing of information, beliefs, and practices from one generation to the next through social learning and communication. Unlike genetic inheritance, which occurs over long periods through biological evolution, cultural inheritance allows for rapid adaptation and transmission of knowledge within a single generation.

While elements of culture can be observed in certain animal species, human culture is understood to be highly complex in its adaptability, and diversity, reflecting our unique cognitive, social, and symbolic capacities. Culture is deeply intertwined with what it means to be human, shaping our identities, relationships, and ways of understanding and interacting with the world.

TASK: Read Article: “Does Culture Shape Our Environmental Attitudes?”

TASK: Read this article to learn more about the link between cultural diversity and biodiversity: “What is Biocultural Diversity, and Why Does it Matter?”

Worldviews & Our Environment

A worldview refers to the comprehensive framework of beliefs, values, assumptions, and perspectives through which an individual or group interprets and understands the world. It provides a lens through which people make sense of reality, formulate opinions, and navigate their lives. Worldviews encompass philosophical, religious, cultural, and ideological perspectives that shape how individuals perceive themselves, others, society, nature, and the universe.

Worldviews are deeply ingrained and can influence personal identity, decision-making, relationships, and social interactions. They are often shaped by cultural background, religious beliefs, philosophical outlooks, education, and life experiences. Worldviews may vary widely among individuals within the same culture or society and can evolve over time in response to new information and experiences and can have a deeply rooted influence in the way they perceive, value, and interact with the natural world.

TASK: Explore how two differing existing worldviews impact our relationship with the natural world by watching this video: “Indigenous versus Western World View”

TASK: Learn more about your own worldviews by taking this brief Woldview Questionnaire test.

Journal Reflection

In your course journal on your own time, please reflect on the following questions:

- Use the following table to list 3-5 ways your own ideas of your culture relate to your connections to the environment?

- After taking the “Worldview Assessment”, reflect on the following in your course journal:
  - What did you learn about your own worldview?
  - Has your worldview changed over time?
  - How do you think your worldview influences how you feel about your relationship to the natural world?

Building Capstone Project

In your course journal on your own time, please reflect on the following questions:

- Thinking back to your original five questions about nature and human wellness you submitted in Module 1:
  - Describe your intentions or ideas for your capstone project. Include potential topics you want to focus on, and specific templates you’re wanting to use.