The natural environment is the phenomenon of all natural things that encompasses humanity. This means that the natural environment entails all living and non-living things which occur naturally on earth without the influence of human beings. The natural environment includes the Physical environment and the Biological environment. The physical environment entails all physical features occurring naturally on earth. It includes the atmosphere (layer of gases surrounding the earth), hydrosphere (liquid component of the earth) and lithosphere (solid layer covering the earth). The biological environment includes the natural biological factors as in animals, plants and bacteria that affect human life in a particular place or period.
According to Wikipedia, human behaviour on the other hand refers to the range of actions or attitudes exhibited by humans. This means that every action, speech, gestures and mannerisms employed by humans consist of our human behavior. Human behaviour is influenced by our culture, emotions and the natural environment. As the culture of a particular society influences the conduct or behaviour of an individual, so does the natural environment also influences human behaviour. It does influence the human behaviour because even the water, climate, soil, animals and plants we interact with do affect our attitude towards life and at times influence our cultural traits. The natural environment has influenced human behavior from the beginning of humankind up till the present. It has influenced us in our behaviour towards our food, shelter, clothing, vocabulary acquisition and ideology.
Table of Contents
- Food
- Shelter
- Clothing
- Vocabulary (Language)
- Ideology
Objectives and Key Themes
This text explores how the natural environment has shaped human behavior throughout history. It examines this influence across various aspects of human life, demonstrating the profound and lasting impact of environmental factors on cultural development and societal practices.
- The influence of the natural environment on food sources and preparation.
- The impact of environmental conditions on the development of shelter and architecture.
- The relationship between climate and geography and the evolution of clothing styles.
- The effect of environmental factors on language and vocabulary development.
- The broader impact of the natural environment on human ideology and cultural traits.
Chapter Summaries
Food: This chapter details how the natural environment dictates available food sources and influences food preparation methods. Early humans relied on hunting and gathering, adapting their diets based on locally available plants and animals. The discovery of fire revolutionized food preparation, and later, the domestication of plants and animals led to agriculture and food surpluses. Examples from various regions, including the Sahara, coastal areas, forest zones, and Eskimo communities, illustrate how diverse environments lead to diverse diets and culinary practices. The text emphasizes that food choices are directly correlated with the resources a particular environment provides.
Shelter: This section examines how environmental factors shaped human shelter from primitive dwellings to modern architecture. Early humans sought refuge in caves and trees, later progressing to mud houses and more sophisticated structures. The chapter highlights how climate, geography, and natural disasters (floods, sandstorms, earthquakes, hurricanes) influenced shelter design. Examples include the nomadic tents of Sahara dwellers, the snow houses of Eskimos, and the raised foundations of coastal homes designed to withstand floods. The adaptation of building techniques to withstand natural disasters, exemplified by hurricane-resistant houses in the US, underscores the ongoing impact of the environment on shelter design.
Clothing: The chapter explores the influence of the natural environment on clothing choices. Initially, humans used leaves and animal hides for protection against harsh climates. Over time, the production of cotton, silk, and linen resulted from a need for more sophisticated clothing. The text cites examples of different clothing styles adapted to various environments: animal skins for warmth in cold climates (Eskimos), long robes for protection from sun in deserts (Sahara), and lightweight clothing in coastal areas for comfort. It emphasizes how both the climate and available resources significantly impact clothing styles and material choices.
Vocabulary (Language): This chapter argues that the natural environment directly shapes language and vocabulary. The observation and interaction with the environment led to the creation of symbols and words to represent natural phenomena. The text highlights that vocabulary varies across cultures due to the unique features of their respective environments. For instance, coastal communities might have extensive vocabulary for different types of fish, while forest dwellers might possess a richer vocabulary for plants. The examples from Ghana illustrate how different communities within the same country develop unique vocabulary to describe similar things due to differences in their local environments.
Keywords
Natural environment, human behavior, food, shelter, clothing, language, vocabulary, culture, adaptation, environment-behavior relationship, climate, geography, resources.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main focus of this text?
This text explores the profound and lasting impact of the natural environment on human behavior and cultural development throughout history. It examines this influence across various aspects of human life, including food, shelter, clothing, language, and ideology.
What topics are covered in the Table of Contents?
The text covers the following key areas: Food, Shelter, Clothing, Vocabulary (Language), and Ideology. Each section delves into how the natural environment has shaped these aspects of human life.
What are the main objectives and key themes?
The main objective is to demonstrate the significant influence of environmental factors on human cultural development and societal practices. Key themes include the impact of the environment on food sources and preparation, shelter and architecture, clothing styles, language development, and the formation of human ideology.
What does the chapter on "Food" discuss?
This chapter details how the natural environment dictates available food sources and influences food preparation methods. It traces the evolution of human diets from hunting and gathering to agriculture, providing examples from diverse regions to highlight the correlation between environmental resources and culinary practices.
What is covered in the "Shelter" chapter?
This section examines how environmental factors, such as climate, geography, and natural disasters, have shaped human shelter from primitive dwellings to modern architecture. It uses examples like nomadic tents, snow houses, and flood-resistant coastal homes to illustrate the adaptation of shelter design to diverse environments.
What is the focus of the "Clothing" chapter?
The chapter explores how the natural environment influences clothing choices, from the initial use of leaves and animal hides to the production of cotton, silk, and linen. It highlights how climate and available resources significantly impact clothing styles and material choices, providing examples from various climates.
What does the chapter on "Vocabulary (Language)" argue?
This chapter argues that the natural environment directly shapes language and vocabulary. It explains how the observation and interaction with the environment led to the creation of words to represent natural phenomena and how vocabulary varies across cultures based on their unique environments.
What are the key words associated with this text?
Key words include: Natural environment, human behavior, food, shelter, clothing, language, vocabulary, culture, adaptation, environment-behavior relationship, climate, geography, resources.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Kwabena Ankoma (Autor:in), 2012, How Human Behavior is Influenced By the Natural Environment, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/889344
