The importance of connection to nature in assessing environmental education programs
In: Studies in educational evaluation, Volume 41, p. 85-89
ISSN: 0191-491X
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In: Studies in educational evaluation, Volume 41, p. 85-89
ISSN: 0191-491X
In: Studies in educational evaluation: SEE, Volume 41
ISSN: 0191-491X
In: Systems research and behavioral science: the official journal of the International Federation for Systems Research, Volume 33, Issue 6, p. 753-769
ISSN: 1099-1743
In: Environment and behavior: eb ; publ. in coop. with the Environmental Design Research Association, Volume 41, Issue 5, p. 607-643
ISSN: 1552-390X
Three studies examine the effects of exposure to nature on positive affect and ability to reflect on a life problem. Participants spent 15 min walking in a natural setting (Studies 1, 2, & 3), an urban setting (Study 1), or watching videos of natural and urban settings (Studies 2 & 3). In all three studies, exposure to nature increased connectedness to nature, attentional capacity, positive emotions, and ability to reflect on a life problem; these effects are more dramatic for actual nature than for virtual nature. Mediational analyses indicate that the positive effects of exposure to nature are partially mediated by increases in connectedness to nature and are not mediated by increases in attentional capacity. The discussion focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the exposure to nature/well-being effects.