Top-Down Processing and Nature Connectedness Predict Psychological and Physiological Effects of Nature

Top-Down Processing and Nature Connectedness Predict Psychological and Physiological Effects of Nature

Exposure to natural environments has positive psychological effects. These effects have been explained from an evolutionary perspective, emphasizing humans’ innate preference for natural stimuli. We tested whether top-down cognitive processes influence the psychophysiological effects of environments...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environment and behavior Vol. 54; no. 5; pp. 917 - 945
Main Authors: Koivisto, Mika, Jalava, Enni, Kuusisto, Lina, Railo, Henry, Grassini, Simone
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-06-2022
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects:
Ambiguity
Attribution
Cognition
Cognitive ability
Connectedness
Constructivism
Effects
Galvanic skin response
Natural environment
Physiological effects
Physiological psychology
Physiology
Power
Psychological aspects
Psychological effects
Sound
Subjective experiences
Waterfalls
EDA
nature
EEG
restoration
relaxation
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Summary:Exposure to natural environments has positive psychological effects. These effects have been explained from an evolutionary perspective, emphasizing humans’ innate preference for natural stimuli. We tested whether top-down cognitive processes influence the psychophysiological effects of environments. The source of an ambiguous sound was attributed to either nature (waterfall) or industry (factory). The results suggested that the participants’ subjective experiences were more pleasant and relaxed when the sound was attributed to nature than to industry. The influence of source attribution was also reflected in physiological measures that were free of subjective biases. The power of the brain’s lower alpha band activity was stronger in the nature scenario than in the industry condition. The individuals’ nature connectedness moderated the influence of source attribution on theta band power and electrodermal activity. The results support an evolutionary-constructivist perspective which assumes that the individual’s meanings and associations modulate the innate bottom-up effects of nature exposure.
ISSN:0013-9165
1552-390X
DOI:10.1177/00139165221107535