What is Nature? A Prototype Analysis of the Natural Environment

Given the inconsistent definitions of nature, we used a bottom-up protype approach (total N = 824) to solicit features of the natural environment (Study 1) and centrality ratings of those features (Study 2). Study 3 tested the prototype structure via ratings of scenarios composed of highly prototypical (vs. less prototypical) features. Over 100 features were generated, and features like wildlife , trees , and ecosystems were rated as most central, with features associated with people much less so. Results of Study 3 supported the protype structure with high (vs. low) prototypical scenarios rated higher in naturalness. We also explored individual differences in subjective nature connectedness; highly connected people generated more features and rated features as more prototypical. The nature protype provides a resource for researchers and practitioners to design or assess stimuli/spaces that fit people’s views of nature, and we discuss the useful scope of this prototype (e.g., across geography and identities).