Abstract
ABSTRACT In the twenty years since the first theory of ‘plant blindness’ was published much discussion has ensued concerning this phenomenon. More recent research, not only demonstrates that humans appear to favour animals over plants but also indicates a preference for mammals with forward-facing eyes. For this paper, we analysed answers to an online survey conducted with 202 student primary teachers in Sweden collected over a period of two years. We focus on two open-ended questions concerning favourite plant and animal choices and motivations for these choices. Our intention in this study was not to contrast animal vs. plant, but rather to further explore differential appreciation of plants and animals. Our findings suggest that there are large variations regarding relationships with plants and that affective connections with plant-life are translated through expressions of beauty, symbolic meaning, emotions (life-long) memories, colour, smell and size, and that similar characteristics seem to attract humans to animals. Our results – in line with arguments presented in recent studies – strongly suggest that in biological education and conservation contexts we should rely more intentionally on cultural and personal factors, utilise pre-existing experience-based human-plant bonds, and in so doing reinforce human recognition and appreciation of plants.
Highlights
Since Wandersee and Schussler first published their theory of ‘plant blindness’ (Wandersee and Schussler 1999, 2001), much discussion has ensued concerning this phenomenon (e.g., Balding and Williams 2016)
We focus on two open-ended questions concerning favourite plant and animal choices and motivations for these choices
In their research overview Balding and Williams (2016), claim that ‘[a] number of studies provide evidence that humans have higher preference, superior recall, and visual detection of animals relative to plants.’ (1193). They argue that plant blindness is ‘common, but not inevitable’ (1192) and state that ‘ plant blindness has a foundation in biologically based patterns of perception and cognition, cultural factors play a significant role in determining whether a given individual notices and values plants’ (Balding and Williams 2016, 1194)
Summary
Since Wandersee and Schussler first published their theory of ‘plant blindness’ (Wandersee and Schussler 1999, 2001), much discussion has ensued concerning this phenomenon (e.g., Balding and Williams 2016). In their research overview Balding and Williams (2016), claim that ‘[a] number of studies provide evidence that humans have higher preference, superior recall, and visual detection of animals relative to plants.’ (1193). They argue that plant blindness is ‘common, but not inevitable’ (1192) and state that ‘ plant blindness has a foundation in biologically based patterns of perception and cognition, cultural factors play a significant role in determining whether a given individual notices and values plants’ (Balding and Williams 2016, 1194). Balas and Momsen (2014), in their experimental study of visual cognition of plants in relation to animals, found that plant blindness ‘may result in part from differences in the visual processing of plants versus animals’ (441), they state that
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