Alone or with a friend: A social context for psychological restoration and environmental preferences

Abstract

We tested propositions about the influences of social context and need for psychological restoration on preferences for natural and urban environments. We framed preference in terms of (1) beliefs about the likelihood of restoration during a walk in each type of environment and (2) the evaluation of restoration given differing restoration needs. Imagining themselves as alone or in the company of a friend, and as attentionally fatigued or fully refreshed, the 106 participants first evaluated recovery, reflection, and social stimulation outcomes. Next, they viewed slides simulating a walk through a forest or an urban center. They then rated the likelihood of recovery, reflection, and social stimulation outcomes from such a walk, as well as how safe it would be while walking. This procedure was repeated with the second environment. Attentional fatigue increased preference for the natural over the urban environment. Company increased preference for the urban environment but not for the natural environment. The absence of a general effect of company in the natural environment owes to two opposed effects: company enabled restoration through its effect on safety, while solitude enhanced restoration when safety was controlled for in the analysis.