An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality
Environmental psychology research has demonstrated that exposure to mundane natural environments can be psychologically beneficial, and can, for instance, improve individuals’ mood and concentration. However, little research has yet examined the psychological benefits of extraordinary, awe-evoking k...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2015-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01577/full |
| _version_ | 1818131186522783744 |
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| author | Yannick eJoye Yannick eJoye Jan-Willem eBolderdijk |
| author_facet | Yannick eJoye Yannick eJoye Jan-Willem eBolderdijk |
| author_sort | Yannick eJoye |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Environmental psychology research has demonstrated that exposure to mundane natural environments can be psychologically beneficial, and can, for instance, improve individuals’ mood and concentration. However, little research has yet examined the psychological benefits of extraordinary, awe-evoking kinds of nature, such as spectacular mountain scenes or impressive waterfalls. In this study, we aimed to address the underrepresentation of such extraordinary nature in research on human – nature interactions. Specifically, we examined whether watching a picture slideshow of awesome as opposed to mundane nature differentially affected individuals’ emotions, mood, social value orientation, and their willingness to donate something to others. Our analyses revealed that, compared to mundane nature and a neutral condition, watching awesome natural scenes and phenomena had some unique and pronounced emotional effects (e.g., feeling small and humble), triggered the most mood improvement, and led to a more prosocial social value orientation. We found that participants’ willingness to donate did not differ significantly for any of the conditions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T08:16:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-13a85bd0be774c6692dcb70667585bf0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T08:16:56Z |
| publishDate | 2015-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-13a85bd0be774c6692dcb70667585bf02022-12-22T01:14:45ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782015-01-01510.3389/fpsyg.2014.01577119285An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosocialityYannick eJoye0Yannick eJoye1Jan-Willem eBolderdijk2University of GroningenUniversity of LeuvenUniversity of GroningenEnvironmental psychology research has demonstrated that exposure to mundane natural environments can be psychologically beneficial, and can, for instance, improve individuals’ mood and concentration. However, little research has yet examined the psychological benefits of extraordinary, awe-evoking kinds of nature, such as spectacular mountain scenes or impressive waterfalls. In this study, we aimed to address the underrepresentation of such extraordinary nature in research on human – nature interactions. Specifically, we examined whether watching a picture slideshow of awesome as opposed to mundane nature differentially affected individuals’ emotions, mood, social value orientation, and their willingness to donate something to others. Our analyses revealed that, compared to mundane nature and a neutral condition, watching awesome natural scenes and phenomena had some unique and pronounced emotional effects (e.g., feeling small and humble), triggered the most mood improvement, and led to a more prosocial social value orientation. We found that participants’ willingness to donate did not differ significantly for any of the conditions.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01577/fullmoodaweprosocialityKeywords: environmental psychologyextraordinary natureawe-evoking natural environments |
| spellingShingle | Yannick eJoye Yannick eJoye Jan-Willem eBolderdijk An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality Frontiers in Psychology mood awe prosociality Keywords: environmental psychology extraordinary nature awe-evoking natural environments |
| title | An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality |
| title_full | An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality |
| title_fullStr | An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality |
| title_full_unstemmed | An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality |
| title_short | An exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions, mood, and prosociality |
| title_sort | exploratory study into the effects of extraordinary nature on emotions mood and prosociality |
| topic | mood awe prosociality Keywords: environmental psychology extraordinary nature awe-evoking natural environments |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01577/full |
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