Advanced Search

Journal Navigation

Journal Home

Subscriptions

Archive

Contact Us

Table of Contents

Click here for more information

Click here to sign up for SAGE Journal Email Alerts today!

Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
Environment and Behavior
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow References
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to Saved Citations
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Request Reprints
Right arrow Add to My Marked Citations
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Right arrow Citing Articles via Scopus
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ulrich, R. S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
Social Bookmarking
 Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us   Add to Digg   Add to Reddit   Add to Technorati  
What's this?

Natural Versus Urban Scenes

Some Psychophysiological Effects

Roger S. Ulrich

University of Delaware

Subjects viewed sixty color slides of either (1) nature with water, (2) nature dominated by vegetation, or (3) urban environments without water or vegetation. The information rates of the three slide samples were equivalent. Measurements were taken of the effects of the slide presentations on alpha amplitude, heart rate, and emotional states. Results revealed several significant differences as a function of environment, which together indicate that the two categories of nature views had more positive influences on psychophysiological states than the urban scenes. Alpha was significantly higher during the vegetation as opposed to urban slides; similarly, alpha was higher on the average when subjects viewed water rather than urban content. There was also a consistent pattern for nature, especially water, to have more positive influences on emotional states. A salient finding was that water, and to a lesser extent vegetation views, held attention and interest more effectively than the urban scenes. Implications of the findings for theory development in environmental aesthetics are discussed.

Environment and Behavior, Vol. 13, No. 5, 523-556 (1981)
DOI: 10.1177/0013916581135001


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
P. Hartmann and V. Apaolaza-Ibanez
Virtual Nature Experiences as Emotional Benefits in Green Product Consumption: The Moderating Role of Environmental Attitudes
Environment and Behavior, November 1, 2008; 40(6): 818 - 842.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
B.-S. Kweon, R. S. Ulrich, V. D. Walker, and L. G. Tassinary
Anger and Stress: The Role of Landscape Posters in an Office Setting
Environment and Behavior, May 1, 2008; 40(3): 355 - 381.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
G. B. Gulwadi
Seeking Restorative Experiences: Elementary School Teachers' Choices for Places That Enable Coping With Stress
Environment and Behavior, July 1, 2006; 38(4): 503 - 520.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Public HealthHome page
F. E. Kuo and A. Faber Taylor
A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence From a National Study
Am J Public Health, September 1, 2004; 94(9): 1580 - 1586.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
J. K. Hietanen and K. M. Korpela
Do Both Negative and Positive Environmental Scenes Elicit Rapid Affective Processing?
Environment and Behavior, July 1, 2004; 36(4): 558 - 577.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
A. S. Devlin and A. B. Arneill
Health Care Environments and Patient Outcomes: A Review of the Literature
Environment and Behavior, September 1, 2003; 35(5): 665 - 694.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
AM J ALZHEIMERS DIS OTHER DEMENHome page
S. Fitzsimmons and L. L. Buettner
Therapeutic recreation interventions for need-driven dementia-compromised
American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias, November 1, 2002; 17(6): 367 - 381.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
T. M. Abu-Ghazzeh
Communicating Behavioral Research to Campus Design: Factors Affecting the Perception and Use of Outdoor Spaces at the University of Jordan
Environment and Behavior, November 1, 1999; 31(6): 764 - 804.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Journal of Planning LiteratureHome page
A. E. Stamps III
Demographic Effects in Environmental Aesthetics: A Meta-Analysis
Journal of Planning Literature, November 1, 1999; 14(2): 155 - 175.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
P. Leather, M. Pyrgas, D. Beale, and C. Lawrence
Windows in the Workplace: Sunlight, View, and Occupational Stress
Environment and Behavior, November 1, 1998; 30(6): 739 - 762.
[Abstract]


Home page
Indoor and Built EnvironmentHome page
T. Fjeld, B. Veiersted, L. Sandvik, G. Riise, and F. Levy
The Effect of Indoor Foliage Plants on Health and Discomfort Symptoms among Office Workers
Indoor and Built Environment, July 1, 1998; 7(4): 204 - 209.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Cross-Cultural ResearchHome page
R. Chipeniuk
A Repertory Grid Test of the Claim That Sense of Landscape Naturalness Is Specific to Culture
Cross-Cultural Research, November 1, 1995; 29(4): 335 - 360.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Indoor and Built EnvironmentHome page
M. Boubekri and L.L. Boyer
A Comparative Study of Building Occupant Response to Luminous Displays in Real and Simulated Indoor Environments
Indoor and Built Environment, March 1, 1995; 4(2): 113 - 120.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
B.-E Yang and T. J. Brown
A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Preferences for Landscape Styles and Landscape Elements
Environment and Behavior, July 1, 1992; 24(4): 471 - 507.
[Abstract]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
V. L. Sheets and C. D. Manzer
Affect, Cognition, and Urban Vegetation: Some Effects of Adding Trees Along City Streets
Environment and Behavior, May 1, 1991; 23(3): 285 - 304.
[Abstract]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
T. Hartig, M. Mang, and G. W. Evans
Restorative Effects of Natural Environment Experiences
Environment and Behavior, January 1, 1991; 23(1): 3 - 26.
[Abstract]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
E. J. Ruddell, J. H. Gramann, V. A. Rudis, and J. M. Westphal
The Psychological Utility of Visual Penetration in near-view Forest Scenic-Beauty Models
Environment and Behavior, July 1, 1989; 21(4): 393 - 412.
[Abstract]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
R. B. Hull IV and A. Harvey
Explaining the Emotion People Experience in Suburban Parks
Environment and Behavior, May 1, 1989; 21(3): 323 - 345.
[Abstract]


Home page
Environment and BehaviorHome page
J. H. Heerwagen and G. H. Orians
Adaptations to Windowlessness: A Study of the Use of Visual Decor in Windowed and Windowless Offices
Environment and Behavior, September 1, 1986; 18(5): 623 - 639.
[Abstract]


Home page
ScienceHome page
R. Ulrich
View through a window may influence recovery from surgery
Science, April 27, 1984; 224(4647): 420 - 421.
[Abstract] [PDF]