The theme of the present volume concerns people' s response to the natural environment, considered at scales varying from that of a house­ hold plant to that of vast wilderness areas. Our decision to focus on this particular segment of the physical environment was prompted in part by the intrinsic interest in this subject on the part of a diverse group of sodal scientists and professionals-and of laypersons, for that matter­ and in part by the relative neglect of this topic in standard treatments of the environment-behavior field. It also serves to bring out once again the interdisdplinary nature of that field, and we are pleased to have been able to inc1ude representatives from geography, sodology, soda! ecology, and natural recreation among our contributors. We believe that this volume will serve a useful purpose in helping to integrate the find­ ings and concepts in this presently somewhat fragmented field, scat­ tered as they are over a very diverse array of publications representing a similarly varied group of spedalties. It is hoped that the result will be to stimulate future development of this area and to add a measure of in­ creased coherence to it. Volume 7 of our series will be devoted to the theme of elderly people and the environment, with M. Powell Lawton joining us as guest co-editor. The titles of the papers comprising Volume 7 are shown on page v. Irwin Altman J oachim F. Wohlwill ix Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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1 The Concept Of Nature: A Psychologist's View.- Toward a Perceptually Based Ecology of Natural Environments.- Alternative Views of Nature in Psychological Terms.- Conclusion: Nature as a "Natural" Category.- References.- 2 Methodological Issues in the Assessment Of Landscape Quality.- Landscape-Assessment Models.- Ecological Model.- Formal Aesthetic Model.- Psychophysical Model.- Psychological Model.- Phenomenological Model.- Conclusion.- References.- 3 Aesthetic and Affective Response to Natural Environment.- Defining Affective and Aesthetic Response.- Toward a Theory of Affective Response to Natural Environment.- Visual Properties Influencing Aesthetic Preference and Interest.- Cultural Influences on Aesthetic Preference.- Aesthetic Response to Natural versus Built Environments.- Other Affective-Arousal Responses to Natural versus Urban Visual Environment.- Summary and Directions for Research.- References.- 4 The Role of Nature in the Urban Context.- Preference for Urban Nature: Content and Process.- The View from Home.- Satisfaction from Urban Nature.- Urban Nature and Quality of Life.- References.- 5 Psychological Benefits of a Wilderness Experience.- A Closer Look at the Wilderness Experience: The Outdoor Challenge Research Program.- Analysis of Wilderness Journals: Exploring Processes, Searching for Mechanisms.- Areas of Theoretical Interest.- The Emergence of Psychological Benefits.- Concluding Comments.- References.- 6 Recreational Needs and Behavior in Natural Settings.- Recreation, Nature, and Expected Outcomes.- Conclusion.- References.- 7 Affective, Cognitive, and Evaluative Perceptions of Animals.- Basic Attitudes toward Animals.- Knowledge of Animals.- Attitudes toward Animal-Related Issues and Problems.- Symbolic Perceptions of Animals.- Policy andManagement Implications.- References.- 8 Social and Behavioral Aspects of the Carrying Capacity of Natural Environments.- The Multidimensioned Environment-User Relationship.- Carrying Capacity Exceeded: Two Examples.- Conceptual Development.- Recreational Carrying Capacity.- Anthropologists and Carrying Capacity.- Future Directions of Research.- References.- 9 Contributions of Behavioral Scientists to Recreation Resource Management.- Skills Needed by Recreation Policymakers and Managers.- An Applied Perspective.- Policy and Management Issues Related to Behavioral Research.- References.