Affective and restorative valences for three environmental categories

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Understanding human perception of environments is crucial for well-being.
• Previous research indicates nature positively impacts mood and restoration.
• The influence of urban and built environments on affective and restorative qualities requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the affective and restorative qualities of natural, urban with nature, and built-up environments.
• To compare perceptions across different environmental categories using computerized assessments.
• To identify specific environmental features that elicit positive affective responses.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a non-verbal computerized response scale and the Mexican Scale of Environmental Restoration Perception.
• Assessed 117 images (natural, urban with nature, built-up without nature) for affective qualities (pleasure, activation).
• Evaluated 54 images for restorative quality among 96 student participants.

Main Results:

• Natural images elicited strong positive affect (liking, activation) and high restorative quality.
• Urban with nature environments showed positive affect and moderate restorative quality.
• Built-up environments without nature were perceived as less pleasant with low restorative quality, except for those with striking architecture.

Conclusions:

• Natural environments are superior for positive affect and restoration.
• Urban planning incorporating nature can mitigate negative perceptions of built environments.
• Architectural design in built environments can positively influence affective responses, suggesting potential for improving urban spaces.