A Psychoevolutionary Approach to Identifying Preferred Nature Scenes With Potential to Provide Restoration From Stress

Thake, Carol L; Bambling, Matthew; Edirippulige, Sisira; Marx, Eric

doi:10.1177/1937586717705085

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…The most prominent of these themes for most-liked scenes was peacefulness/relaxation/calmness, which is consistent with the psycho-evolutionary proposition that preference may play an adaptive role in attracting people to environments that provide relief from stress (Herzog et al, 2003). This theme is also consistent with the strong relationship found by Thake et al (2017) between preference and potential for restoration from stress.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…A correlational study ( N = 40) upheld the usefulness of the IFSS for its intended purpose, finding significant positive relationships between IFS (as quantified using the IFSS) and each of scene preference (large effect) and restoration potential (medium effect). Thus, the IFSS was found to be useful for selecting a database of nature scene images that people generally like to view and that also hold potential for restoration from stress (Thake et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Using the Importance for Survival Scale to Identify Preferred Nature Scenes With Restorative Potential: A Qualitative Study

Thake

Bambling

Edirippulige

et al. 2020

HERD

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Background: Evidence supports the use of images of nature scenes in healthcare settings to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. However, the literature is diverse and provides no integrated system to identify nature scenes that provide most therapeutic benefit. Objective: The current study aimed to validate and extend results of a correlational study that found the Importance for Survival Scale (IFSS) useful for selecting generally preferred nature scenes with therapeutic potential. Methods: The correlational study that tested the usefulness of the IFSS and the current qualitative study were components of a larger mixed-methods study. For the current study, general community participants ( N = 20 males, 20 females; mean age = 48 years) provided verbal responses to questions about thoughts and feelings associated with a selection of photographs of nature scenes. Data were analyzed using a content analysis approach. Results: Themes and detailed descriptors associated with preference for, and emotional response to, most- and least-liked nature scenes were produced. A proportion of those themes is directly related to the construct of Importance for Survival (IFS), whereas other themes are better explained by alternative theoretical perspectives. Conclusions: Results uphold the IFSS as an effective tool for identifying generally preferred nature scenes with restorative potential, and provide information about the relative importance of IFSS subscales that may be used to further develop and refine the IFSS, as well as guide selection of restorative nature scenes. Results also provide fine-scaled descriptive information about preference for and emotional response to nature scenes.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using the Importance for Survival Scale to Identify Preferred Nature Scenes With Restorative Potential: A Qualitative Study

Thake

Bambling

Edirippulige

et al. 2020

HERD

Self Cite

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“…These intergenerational and family images with clear unambiguous emotional expressions were chosen to make it easier for PwD to recognize the emotions of the characters and empathize, sympathize and interact with them (McAllister et al, 2020), and give a feeling of warmth and belonging (see Figure 2). Nature scenes were included as well, to elicit emotions of calmness and enjoyment (Gamble et al, 2014;Thake et al, 2017).…”

Section: Goals and General Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An intact association between implicit and explicit cognitive functions are required in order to successfully decipher and interact with the social environment around us. As PwD show changes in social cognition (Snowden et al, 2003;Poveda et al, 2017) it can further impair their quality of life. Indeed, PwD may display difficulties in understanding social cues or recognizing emotions (Phillips et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Focusing on Emotional and Social Intelligence Stimulation of People With Dementia by Playing a Serious Game—Proof of Concept Study

Berenbaum

Tziraki

Baum

et al. 2020

Front. Comput. Sci.

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Context: Dementia is one of the top five chronic diseases, which has an overwhelming impact on patients' life quality, family, and caregivers. Currently, research relating to people with dementia (PwD) focuses on the deterioration of cognitive abilities. A more innovative approach, and the one taken by this paper, is focusing on methods to maintain and improve functionality, communication and quality of life of PwD by building on remaining capacities in the yet unexplored domain of emotional and social intelligence (ESI). The use of serious games for PwD (SG4D) aimed at building social and emotional capacity is a budding field of research.Objectives: Proof of concept that the, low cost, easy to deploy SG4D, called “My Brain Works” (MBW), co-designed with PwD, enhances ESI, based on the Bar-On ESI model.Methods: 27 PwD, clients at MELABEV dementia day center, participated in a mixed methods 12 weeks pilot, proof of concept study using a tablet SG4D co-designed with PwD. Quantitative performance data was collected automatically by the tablet during game sessions. In this paper we focus on the analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data related to ESI, observed by 10 different researchers, during each game session.Results: Quantitative data revealed: both the PwD with high and low MoCA scores had similar average ESI scores. Qualitative analysis revealed that the PwD demonstrated 9 sub-components of the Bar-On ESI Model.Conclusion: While there is no drug to stop cognitive decline associated with dementia, interventions related to ESI, on the other hand, may improve functioning and quality of life. Despite declines in cognitive abilities, our study shows that a tablet based SG4D can stimulate their ESI and evoke responses in self-awareness, empathy, social and communication capacities. Using SG4D to exercise and maintain social skills is an area that may be promising in the future and may help counter the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness. Such games, while not focusing on cognitive improvement, may also impact on cognitive functioning and help bridge the gap between caregiver and PwD. More research is needed with larger sample sizes.

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“…In this issue, Thake, Bambling, and Edirippulig ( in press ) examine nature imagery in their article, A Psychoevolutionary Approach to Identifying Preferred Nature Scenes with Potential to Provide Restoration from Stress . Many researchers have used nature imagery as a substitute for “real nature” (real plants and/or nature-rich outdoor settings) to explore its restorative potential (e.g., Heerwagen & Orians, 1986; Pati, O’Boyle, Hou, Nanda, & Ghamari, 2016; Ulrich, Lunden, & Eltinge, 1993).…”

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confidence: 99%

The Case for Nature or Nature-ish

Sachs

2017

HERD

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I'll never forget sitting in a doctor's office, waiting for a stressful appointment, and trying hard not to look at the dead plant in the corner. It was the antithesis of the reassuring, confidence-inspiring message that I needed. Good design can convey a strong positive message from the healthcare organization: "We care about you and your family; we care about our employees; we care about our community; and even (with some pioneering healthcare facilities) the planet." And bad design, or improper maintenance, can send the opposite message.

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A Psychoevolutionary Approach to Identifying Preferred Nature Scenes With Potential to Provide Restoration From Stress

Cited by 18 publications

References 24 publications

Using the Importance for Survival Scale to Identify Preferred Nature Scenes With Restorative Potential: A Qualitative Study

Using the Importance for Survival Scale to Identify Preferred Nature Scenes With Restorative Potential: A Qualitative Study

Focusing on Emotional and Social Intelligence Stimulation of People With Dementia by Playing a Serious Game—Proof of Concept Study

The Case for Nature or Nature-ish

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