The issue of whether recreational hunting hurts or benefits the environment is a controversial topic, with a range of different positions being advocated for. Through applying a socioecological theory that analyses the relational process between humans and the environment, I will argue that the position one takes on hunting, whether it be for or against, is a reflection of their ecological habitus. By outlining a brief history of hunting within New Zealand, my first hunting experience, and defining the key concepts of ecological habitus, I will link my own hunting perceptions and practices to ecological habitus and lay the theoretical foundations that influence an individual’s position on the matter. It will be shown that in New Zealand the ecological habitus towards hunting is heavily influenced by one’s environmental location, type of capital possessed, and identification with a national ‘kiwi’ identity. The impact of this is that the formation of hunting practices is a direct product of the relationships between people and their environment. By applying a concept of ecological habitus a more complex understanding of peoples’ behaviour towards the environment can be gained.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical Framework
3. Ecological Habitus and New Zealand Identity
4. Field Placement and Hunting
5. The Role of Capital in Hunting Practices
6. Discussion and Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This essay examines the controversial practice of recreational hunting in New Zealand through the lens of socioecological theory. It explores how an individual's "ecological habitus"—shaped by their environment, capital, and national identity—influences their perceptions and behavioral choices regarding hunting, arguing that hunting practices are deeply embedded in the relational processes between humans and their surroundings.
- Application of Bourdieu’s "theory of practice" to ecological behavior.
- The influence of national 'kiwi' identity on environmental perception.
- Socioeconomic factors and field placement in rural vs. urban settings.
- The distinction between game animals and pests in the New Zealand context.
- The dualistic and interconnected relationship between humans and nature.
Excerpt from the Book
Applying the concept of ecological habitus
As Kasper (2009, p. 321) argues, ecological habitus is a useful tool for “rethinking environmental behaviour” and placing attention on the relational processes between humans and the settings that they interact with. In its essence, ecological habitus is the way that one relates and identifies oneself with, in relation to their immediate environmental settings. This process is in the form of a “durable, yet changeable” set of environmental attitudes and active decisions, whether made on a conscious or unconscious level, which are shaped, and shape one’s perceptions towards socioecological matters (Kasper, 2009, p. 316-317). Applying the concept of ecological habitus is a useful way of envisaging how ecologically relevant conditions affect individuals’ socioecological choices, particular in the case of their actions, or practices, towards environmental issues such as hunting.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Introduces the controversy of recreational hunting and posits that an individual's stance is a reflection of their ecological habitus.
2. Theoretical Framework: Explores Bourdieu’s theory of practice, defining the concepts of habitus, field, and capital as mechanisms for identity formation.
3. Ecological Habitus and New Zealand Identity: Analyzes how the 'kiwi' identity and the classification of certain animals as pests influence social tolerance and hunting participation.
4. Field Placement and Hunting: Discusses how rural and urban environments dictate the normalization of hunting and proximity to hunting grounds.
5. The Role of Capital in Hunting Practices: Examines how economic, cultural, and social capital dictate the subsistence or recreational nature of hunting decisions.
6. Discussion and Conclusion: Evaluates the strengths and limitations of the ecological habitus framework and summarizes how external factors and individual capital shape environmental behavior.
Keywords
Ecological habitus, Bourdieu, recreational hunting, New Zealand, socioecological theory, environmental behavior, field, capital, national identity, conservation, pest control, subsistence, rural-urban divide, habitus formation, identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this work?
The essay explores the practice of recreational hunting in New Zealand and how it is influenced by socioecological factors and human-environment relationships.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The work covers identity formation, the impact of national branding ('kiwi' identity), the role of rural vs. urban environments, and the influence of different forms of capital on human behavior.
What is the core research argument?
The author argues that one's position on hunting is not merely a choice, but a reflection of their "ecological habitus," which is shaped by their social, economic, and cultural background.
Which theoretical framework does the author apply?
The author uses Pierre Bourdieu's "theory of practice," specifically the concepts of habitus, field, and capital, to analyze human behavior in relation to the environment.
What is the main topic of the main body?
The main body examines the history of hunting in New Zealand, the personal experience of the author, and the theoretical application of Bourdieu’s concepts to explain why people choose to hunt.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include ecological habitus, Bourdieu, recreational hunting, socioecological theory, and environmental identity.
How does the 'kiwi' label impact hunting perceptions?
The 'kiwi' label is associated with an outdoorsy, 'clean and green' image; the classification of some animals as 'pests' within this identity framework often leads to increased social acceptance of hunting as a beneficial act.
Why does the author consider their own hunting experience relevant?
The author uses their personal journey—from watching a film to becoming a hunter—as a case study to demonstrate how subconscious influences and societal labels manifest in real-world actions.
What are the limitations of the "ecological habitus" approach?
The author notes that this approach can lean toward determinism and fails to account for class or gender inequalities, as well as the impact of macro-level political theory.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Lee Hooper (Autor:in), 2011, Environmental Behaviour. Applying Ecological Habitus to Recreational Hunting in New Zealand, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/233070
