Understanding Anthropocentric/Biocentric Orientations Toward Natural Parks: A Survey of Student at Oklahoma State University

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the anthropocentric and biocentric orientations of Oklahoma State University students toward natural parks. This study was conducted to determine whether sex and ethnicity could be predictors of environmental orientations, which in turn, have implications for park users' recreational behaviors and park management. Inconsistent with previous research, the findings of this study concluded that sex and ethnicity are not significantly related environmental orientations. In other words, survey respondents of different ethnicities and sexes are not more likely to be either anthropocentric or biocentric than expected. The vast of majority of responses to the instrument showed that respondents are anthropocentric or midcentric in environmental orientation. Despite a number of shortcomings of the survey, the researcher concluded that the values of parks are not well understood by the general public, and the management issues are not well addressed in the educational programs. Implications for park management and recommendations for future research are discussed.