Abstract
D.Ed.
Numerous studies have been conducted regarding the interaction between human beings and the biophysical environment. They primarily sought to address the ever-increasing destructive behavior of human beings towards the biophysical environment. In Environmental Education, it is widely assumed that this destructive behavior is the result of a reductionist worldview, which separates human beings from nature. Environmental Education developed as a response towards this destructive interaction. Various Environmental Education models have been developed to understand and change the complex interaction between human beings and the biophysical environment. One such model was developed by Van Rooyen (2002). He identified, amongst others, two constituents that determine abovementioned interaction. The first is the individual self, and the second is the context within which the self functions. These two constituents are closely related. This study wants to contribute to this field by providing a deeper investigation of these two constituents. This is done through emphasis on the depth of experiencing, and through that the personal construction of meaning regarding the value of the biophysical environment.
This deeper investigation will incorporate the personal worldview and psychological aspects of the individual. The psychotherapeutic centre, which is situated in a wilderness area, will provide the psychological milieu in which these psychological aspects are investigated. The investigation focuses on adult group work at the centre as a real life situation within which these constituents will be studied.
In this study, activities for group work with adults are developed, where ecological principles are being used during therapeutic intervention to address the problems of patients who have been referred to the centre. The biophysical environment within which the centre is situated is used as an active component in the therapeutic process. These ecological principles which are being used are well known in the field of psychology to address personal problems. This study, though, wants to take it one step further, namely, to develop caring and respect for the biophysical environment. This is done through developing a better understanding of the interaction and relationship between human beings and the biophysical environment.
This descriptive case study uses the individual responses of participants to monitor the experience and construction of meaning of the natural environment from a personal life context. A holistic open system approach to Environmental and Adult Education has been followed throughout the study, which assumes that each individual is part of a bigger system and that change of behavior towards the biophysical environment cannot be predicted or controlled. The assumption is also made that interaction with the biophysical environment is closely related and influenced by the personal context and problems of the individual. This study in Environmental Education uses the group work at a psychotherapeutic centre as the basis for Environmental Education for adults.