Relationships between emotional dispositions and wildlife value orientations

Human dimensions of wildlife research has predominantly focussed on cognitions. Yet, interest in emotions is emerging. Studies into emotions towards wildlife are hitherto conducted as a separate endeavour, next to the... [ view full abstract ]

Human dimensions of wildlife research has predominantly focussed on cognitions. Yet, interest in emotions is emerging. Studies into emotions towards wildlife are hitherto conducted as a separate endeavour, next to the cognitive research tradition. Integrating these research strands is important for progress in overall understanding. To this end, we identified relationships between valence (the positive-negative dimension of emotional dispositions) and wildlife value orientations (patterns of basic cognitions). People with a domination orientation believe that wildlife should be used for human benefits. People with a mutualism orientation believe that wildlife is deserving rights and care, and take an egalitarian stance to wildlife. We hypothesized that valence is stronger associated with mutualism than with domination.

We administered a survey (n = 1076) in Malaysia. We assessed (a) valence towards a range of 56 different species, (b) domination and mutualism, (c) conservation support for a range of 15 species, and (d) acceptability of lethal control in different situations. Composite indices were used for analyses. 

Correlation between valence and domination was -.06, while correlation between valence and mutualism was .30. Conservation support was predicted by domination and mutualism (R² = .06). Entering valence as a third predictor increased the explained variance of conservation support (R² = .16). Valence was by far the best predictor (β valence = .33, β domination = -.06, β mutualism = .13). Including valence reduced the predictive potential of mutualism (β dropped from .23 to .13) but not of domination (β dropped by .01). Domination and mutualism predicted acceptability of lethal control (R² = .10), and adding valence did not increase the explained variance.

These findings suggest that as emotions towards wildlife are more positive, people tend to be more mutualism oriented, but not less domination oriented. Wildlife value orientations are better predictors for acceptability of lethal control, while valence is a better predictor of conservation support. Hence, which theoretical perspective is most conducive highly depends on the specific concept of interest. Future research could investigate to what extent various types of dispositions are informed by emotions and basic cognitions.