Abstract
This study examined the effect of priming with photographs of various environmental settings on the speed of a subsequent outdoor walk in an urban environment. Either photographs of urban greenery, conifer forests, or shopping malls were presented or no prime was employed. Three experiments were conducted (N = 126, N = 88, and N = 121). After being exposed to the priming or no-priming conditions, the participants were asked to walk along an urban route 1.9 km long with vegetation and mature trees (Experiment 1, Experiment 3) or along a route in a modern suburb (Experiment 2). In accord with the concept of approach-avoidance behavior, it was expected that priming with photographs congruent with the environmental setting of the walking route would result in slower walking speed. Conversely, priming with photographs incongruent with the environmental setting should result in faster walking speed. The results showed that priming with the photographs with vegetation caused a decrease in overall walking speed on the route relative to other experimental conditions. However, priming with incongruent primes did not lead to a significant increase in walking speed. In all experimental conditions, the slowest walking speed was found in sections with the highest natural character. The results are explained in terms of congruency between the prime and the environment, as well as by the positive psychological effects of viewing nature.
Highlights
There is considerable evidence suggesting that individuals have positive reactions to viewing nature
The results showed that priming with photographs had a significant effect on walking speed
We did not find any significant effect of priming condition on walking speed for women, we looked for possible gender differences in evaluations of the photographs
Summary
There is considerable evidence suggesting that individuals have positive reactions to viewing nature. Kaplan’s “Attention Restoration Theory” suggested that the effect of viewing nature restores fatigue from directed attention (Kaplan and Kaplan, 1989) In their meta-analysis, McMahan and Estes (2015) reported that exposure to natural environments is associated with a moderate increase in positive affect and a smaller decrease in negative affect relative to comparison conditions. It was found that the cognitive engagement with an outdoor environment helped participants to achieve significant improvements in multiple dimensions of psychological wellbeing. This technique is in some respect close to ecopsychological approaches (e.g., Roszak et al, 1995; Cohen, 2003; Voigt et al, 2007). Such approaches utilize techniques of working with all senses to obtain deep perception and understanding of the surrounding natural environment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
