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From Cognition to Conservation: Applying Grid–Group Cultural Theory to Manage Natural Resources

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  • Xuefeng Quan

    (Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730030, China)

  • Xiaoyu Song

    (Key Laboratory of Ecological Safety and Sustainable Development in Arid Lands, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730030, China)

  • Thi Phuong Nguyen

    (School of Economics, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China
    Institute of Carbon Neutrality Development Research, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

Harmony between humans and nature can be achieved by changing human perceptions and behavioral patterns towards natural resources. Cultural cognition can guide human behavior. By reviewing the development of grid–group culture theory, its classification methods, and its application to natural resource management, this study expects to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between the worldviews, behavioral trends, and resource management practices of different types of people. By summarizing the application of the theory to multiple dimensions of natural resource management, the study finds the following: (1) changes in dominant cultural types at the same hierarchical level can change natural resource management strategies, and changes in cultural types of lower hierarchical groups are unable to drive policy changes; (2) the cultural types of policy followers in natural resource management are influenced by factors such as age, education, and gender, while natural resource policy (policy makers) cultural types are influenced by the natural resources themselves; (3) hierarchical natural resource management strategies are a more limited way of managing natural resources, at present. Egalitarianism is the ideal state of natural resource management, but the lack of economic efficiency considerations forces the egalitarian management approach to be ineffectively implemented.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuefeng Quan & Xiaoyu Song & Thi Phuong Nguyen, 2025. "From Cognition to Conservation: Applying Grid–Group Cultural Theory to Manage Natural Resources," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4613-:d:1658394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hoogstra-Klein, Marjanke A. & Permadi, Dwiko B. & Yasmi, Yurdi, 2012. "The value of cultural theory for participatory processes in natural resource management," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 99-106.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    3. Claire Marris & Ian H. Langford & Timothy O'Riordan, 1998. "A Quantitative Test of the Cultural Theory of Risk Perceptions: Comparison with the Psychometric Paradigm," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(5), pages 635-647, October.
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