A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Top-Down Processing and Nature Connectedness Predict Psychological and Physiological Effects of Nature
Authors: Koivisto Mika, Jalava Enni, Kuusisto Lina, Railo Henry, Grassini Simone
Publisher: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Environment and Behavior
Journal name in source: ENVIRONMENT AND BEHAVIOR
Journal acronym: ENVIRON BEHAV
Article number: 00139165221107535
Volume: 54
Issue: 5
First page : 917
Last page: 945
Number of pages: 29
ISSN: 0013-9165
eISSN: 1552-390X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00139165221107535
Web address : https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00139165221107535
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176003887
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.
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