A Cross-Cultural Comparison of the Link between Modernization, Anthropomorphism and Attitude to Wildlife

Jose Luis Gomez-Melara,Putu Oka Ngakan,Teresa Romero,Jordi Pladevall,Rufino Acosta-Naranjo,Patricia Izar,Risma Illa Maulany,Federica Amici,Shahrul Anuar Mohd Sah,Bonaventura Majolo

doi:10.3390/su132313095

Abstract

Anthropogenic pressure has significantly increased in the last decades, often enhancing conflicts at the human–wildlife interface. Therefore, understanding peoples’ value orientations, attitudes and behavioural intentions towards wildlife is a crucial endeavour to reduce the occurrence of conflicts between humans and wildlife. Previous research in the USA has shown a consistent link between modernization and increased anthropomorphism (i.e., the tendency to attribute human mental or physical characteristics to other entities), leading to positive changes in value orientations, attitudes, and behavioural intentions towards wildlife. In this paper, we aimed to address whether this link is also present in other cultures, by testing participants (N = 741) in five different countries (Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Spain). Our study shows that while the positive link between anthropomorphism, positive attitudes and behavioural intentions towards wildlife is universal, the link between modernization and anthropomorphism is culturally mediated. In some countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Spain), modernization increased anthropomorphism, while in others modernization predicted no differences (Brazil) or even a decrease in anthropomorphism (Mexico), ultimately deteriorating individuals’ attitude and behavioural intentions towards wildlife. These results call for caution when generalizing findings from western industrialized countries to inform conservation policies worldwide.

Highlights

In Models 2a and 2b, we aimed to test whether higher anthropomorphism predicted lower domination (M2a) and higher mutualism (M2b), and whether this held true across countries
In Model 3 (M3), we aimed to test whether higher mutualism and lower domination predicted a more positive attitude toward wildlife, and whether this was true across countries
In M2a and M2b we tested whether anthropomorphism predicted lower domination (M2a) and higher mutualism (M2b), and whether this held true across countries

Summary

Introduction

One way to reduce the occurrence and/or intensity of conflicts between humans and wildlife is to improve peoples’ attitudes toward wildlife, for instance through education programs that. Domination orientations, for instance, emphasize the existence of a hierarchical division between human and non-human animals, and are thought to lead to a utilitarian attitude to wildlife, in which the environment is mainly managed to increase human welfare (e.g., [8,9]). Mutualism orientations stress how humans and other animals are part of the same socio-ecological world, leading to positive feelings, social attachment and a more positive attitude toward wildlife [11,12,13]. For instance, are thought to be higher in females and in individuals living in more urban areas, as compared with males and individuals from more rural areas [10]

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Conclusion