Proposing a Framework for the Restorative Effects of Nature through Conditioning: Conditioned Restoration Theory

Abstract

Natural environments have been shown to trigger psychological and physiological restoration in humans. A new framework regarding natural environments restorative properties is proposed. Conditioned restoration theory builds on a classical conditioning paradigm, postulating the occurrence of four stages: (i) unconditioned restoration, unconditioned positive affective responses reliably occur in a given environment (such as in a natural setting); (ii) restorative conditioning, the positive affective responses become conditioned to the environment; (iii) conditioned restoration, subsequent exposure to the environment, in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus, retrieves the same positive affective responses; and (iv) stimulus generalization, subsequent exposure to associated environmental cues retrieves the same positive affective responses. The process, hypothetically not unique to natural environments, involve the well-documented phenomenon of conditioning, retrieval, and association and relies on evaluative conditioning, classical conditioning, core affect, and conscious expectancy. Empirical findings showing that restoration can occur in non-natural environments and through various sensory stimuli, as well as findings demonstrating that previous negative experience with nature can subsequently lower restorative effects, are also presented in support of the theory. In integration with other existing theories, the theory should prove to be a valuable framework for future research.

Exposure to virtual nature: the impact of different immersion levels on skin conductance level, heart rate, and perceived relaxation

“…A general distraction effect can be attributed to nature sounds (Alvarsson et al 2010), which existed in both conditions, and is in line with Conditioned Restoration Theory (CRT; Egner et al 2020). CRT postulates a two-step model for the relaxation effects of natural environments.…”

“…CRT postulates a two-step model for the relaxation effects of natural environments. The first step involves associating nature with relaxation, and the second step consists of experiencing relaxation when presented with an associated stimulus (e.g., auditory stimuli; Egner et al 2020). Therefore, it is possible that auditory rather than visual stimuli influenced the habituation speed of SCL.…”

The Mediating Effect of Nature Restorativeness, Stress Level, and Nature Connectedness in the Association between Nature Exposure and Quality of Life

“…Some researchers claim that focusing only on restorative effects of nature is too simplistic because the benefits of the relationship between humans and nature go well beyond the acute restorative effects induced by nature exposure [ 27 ]. Based on the Biophilia hypothesis, it was suggested that, driven by biological evolution, human beings have an innate affinity with being around other living creatures [ 28 ].…”

Effect of environmental education on the knowledge of aquatic ecosystems and reconnection with nature in early childhood

“…The exposure to natural environments can compensate for these drawbacks, promoting human health and wellbeing through physical activity, stress reduction, social integration, and cooperative and environmentally sustainable behaviors (e.g., [ 14 – 17 ]). This beneficial and restorative effects associated to natural environments can be a result of conditioning and associative learning [ 18 ]. Thus, the early exposure of children to nature is fundamental for the creation of a positive experience, establishing the basis for sustainable behaviors [ 17 , 19 , 20 ].…”