3.2.

2- Factors that influence societal relationships

3. PORTRAYALS OF OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES

 INTRODUCTION
We a r e e x p o s e d i n l i f e t o m a n y d i ff e r e n t i n f l u e n c e s t h a t
contribute to shaping our relationships with the outdoor
environment.

A portrayal refers to the way that outdoor environments and

e x p e r i e n c e s a r e r e p r e s e n t e d b y d i ff e r e n t m e d i u m s . S p e c i f i c
environments are portrayed in certain ways, depending on
the message that a person or group is trying to get across.

h t t p s : / / e s c a p e o e s . w e e b l y. c o m / 3 2 2 - - f a c t o r s - t h a t - i n f l u e n c e -
societal-relationships.html
 W H E R E D O W E S E E P O RT R AY A L S ?

Portrayals are found in many places, these mediums include:

• Media (magazines, newspapers, television , Radio, internet)
• Music
• Art
• Advertising

Examples: Textbook Page 204

 VIEWS OF OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS

Commodity: Nature is subordinate to us.

Something separate and noble: Nature is seen as an
escape from the decay of civilization.
Philosophical Principle: This provides a framework for
action, gives terms such as ‘natural rights’.
A Religion: Commonly indigenous ‘earth/mother ’
COMMON PORTRAYALS
Portrayals are ‘second hand’ pieces of information .
Different portrayals can be recognised through the use of
metaphors. These often relate to how the outdoor
environment is being shown or how someone intends for
you to perceive it.

• As an adversary – an opponent to challenge yourself against,

human vs nature.
• As a museum – a collection of valuable things that should be
protected.
• As a cathedral – a place where people have a spiritual connection.
• As a gymnasium – A place to ‘work out’.
• As a resource – the source of the natural products required to
support our needs.
 AS AN ADVERSARY
When the outdoors is portrayed as an adversary, it is being
considered as something working against us, something that
requires us to overcome the challenge set by the
environment.
Consider the way the environment is portrayed by each of the
following:
• https://beachsafe.org.au/
• http://www.bom.gov.au/
• Tree climbing championships
 AS A MUSEUM
When the outdoors is portrayed as a museum, it is presented as a place of history that can help us
understand human relationships with outdoor environments. We tend to think of a museum as a place
that stores and protects items from history. These things can help us understand the past, but also
understand where we are going in the future. The environment can be thought of in this way too.
Portrayals can be positive and educational, or they can be formed around the view that we may lose
our ‘museum’ if our destructive lifestyle continues.

Examples:
http://www.mcav.com.au/ http://www.brambuk.com.au/
 AS A CATHEDRAL
R e g a r d s t h e o u t d o o r e n v i r o n m e n t t o b e s e e n i n a s p i r i t u a l w a y. O f t e n , t h i s
seeks to highlight how special outdoor environments are. There is usually an
emphasis on how important environments are to our existence, health and
wellbeing.
Many social movements with environmental links are centred around the
uniqueness and importance of the natural world. This often provides an
alternative to traditional beliefs or religions.
Examples:
• https://www.wilderness.org.au/
• https://www.greatforestnationalpark.com.au/
 AS A GYMNASIUM
When the environment is portrayed primarily as a place for humans to undertake recreational
activities, it is being regarded as a gymnasium- a venue for human activity- walking, running,
climbing, swimming, paddling, etc…
It provides the terrain, the rapids, the waves, the cliff holds that make up the playground for the
activities we enjoy.
The environment provides the challenge that participants find attractive, or the problems that need to
be solved, or even a series of achievements.
These can vary from low key ‘passive’ experiences through to higher challenging ‘extreme’ sports.

Examples:
• https://www.lakemountainresort.com.au/
• http://www.youyangsmtbinc.com.au/
 AS A RESOURCE
Reflects the attitude that the environment should be
used to support our needs.
This can include our survival needs or the things we
need to live on such as food.
These are harnessed from the environment by taking
them directly or utilising or modifying the
environment to produce them.
There is an increasing awareness for the need to
access many of the environments resources
sustainably.

Examples:
• http://www.vicforests.com.au/
• https://www.bhp.com/
 Where do we find these portrayals?
Many of these portrayals (as seen in the examples) are through second-hand information- that is,
information that is provided to us through written, oral or visual methods with the intent of influencing
our relationships.

The following tables outline some of the different ways that these portrayals have an influence on
relationships with outdoor environments. That is, the influence on:
• The way outdoor environments are perceived
• How we interact with them
• The impact we have as a result of these
I N F L U E N C E O N R E L AT I O N S H I P S
 EXAMPLE
TV shows such as ‘Bondi Rescue’ portray the coastal environment as an
adversary. Highlighting potential disasters, challenges and the danger
that is the beach.

Perceptions: this show might influence humans to perceive the beaches

at Phillip Island as dangerous and threatening. OR as a challenge for
them to overcome.

Interactions: people with this perception may not choose to interact at

the beach due to this. OR they go surfing to take on the challenge.

Positive Impact: Surfers gain a connection and appreciation for the surf
and its challenges, they strive to help protect the environment.

Negative Impact: Large amounts of people go surfing, leading to erosion

on walkways (sensitive dune systems, etc). If viewed as dangerous and
no interaction is had, someone may have no connection or appreciation
of coastal environments. This disconnect from the environment can lead
to reduced care or protection.