Abstract
Acoustic experiences of nature represent a growing area in restorative environments research and are explored in this narrative literature review. First, the work surveyed indicates that nature is broadly characterized by the sounds of birdsong, wind, and water, and these sounds can enhance positive perceptions of natural environments presented through visual means. Second, isolated from other sensory modalities these sounds are often, although not always, positively affectively appraised and perceived as restorative. Third, after stress and/or fatigue nature sounds and soundscapes can lead to subjectively and objectively improved mood and cognitive performance, as well as reductions in arousal, although some inconsistencies in findings are observed. Fourth, theoretical frameworks of restorative environments would benefit from inclusion of acoustic environmental properties such as sound intensity or frequency. Fifth, findings regarding positive, learned semantic associations with nature have arisen as a result of recent work on sounds and restoration. This represents another important area of potential theoretical development for broader restorative environments research.
Highlights
There is an abundance of literature regarding the ability of certain settings, termed “restorative environments,” to facilitate recovery from everyday cognitive fatigue, negative mood, and stress (Collado et al, 2017)
This perspective is supported by qualitative participant comments in an otherwise quantitative study conducted by Annerstedt et al (2013) regarding virtual reality experience of a forest with and without nature sounds
Even when differences in positive appraisals were controlled for, Kryzwicka and Byrka (2017) found that nature soundscapes were perceived as more restorative. These findings indicate that typical sounds and soundscapes of nature are considered more restorative than those from the built environment, echoing the distinction found between visuo-spatial natural and urban environments (Hartig et al, 2014)
Summary
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom. Reviewed by: Neil Spencer Bruce, School of Electronic Music (SEM), United Kingdom Giuseppe Carrus, Roma Tre University, Italy. Acoustic experiences of nature represent a growing area in restorative environments research and are explored in this narrative literature review. Theoretical frameworks of restorative environments would benefit from inclusion of acoustic environmental properties such as sound intensity or frequency. Findings regarding positive, learned semantic associations with nature have arisen as a result of recent work on sounds and restoration. This represents another important area of potential theoretical development for broader restorative environments research
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